🏀 NBA Playoffs Card Market Watch: How a Championship Run Could Skyrocket These Stars' Values

🏆 NBA Playoffs Card Market Watch: What a Championship Run Means for These Players' Cards

With the NBA Playoffs in full swing and the Conference Finals shaping up to be an unforgettable battle, the basketball card market is buzzing. Every dribble, dunk, and clutch shot has the potential to drive up the value of a player's trading card — especially when that player leads their team to the NBA Finals or hoists the Larry O’Brien Trophy. Let’s break down what a deep playoff run or even a Finals win could mean for some of the game’s brightest stars and their trading card markets.

👀 Tyrese Haliburton – The Indiana Pacers’ Breakout Star

Few saw the Indiana Pacers making it this far, but here we are — and Tyrese Haliburton is at the center of it. Haliburton’s rise has been steady, but a dominant performance through the Conference Finals and beyond would undoubtedly cause a surge in his rookie cards, especially low-numbered parallels and on-card autos. Haliburton's 2020-21 Prizm Silver RC and select autograph cards could spike significantly if the Pacers make a Cinderella run all the way.

Wax Angle: Tyrese Haliburton rookie card value, 2020 NBA card market trends, Pacers Finals impact on trading cards

🗽 Jalen Brunson – “The King of New York” and the Knicks’ Heartbeat

We’ve talked about it before — Jalen Brunson is quickly earning the title of “The King of New York.” Brunson has played like an MVP during the 2024-25 postseason, and if he can carry the Knicks to their first title since 1973, the impact on his card market could be massive. Expect his rookie slabs from 2018-19 (especially his Prizm, Optic, and National Treasures autos) to see a strong uptick in value and demand.

Key Point: A Knicks championship run could create the biggest market boom for any single player in this year’s playoffs.

Wax Angle: Jalen Brunson rookie card value, Knicks NBA Finals trading cards, Jalen Brunson card market boom

💪 Anthony Edwards – Timberwolves’ Alpha and Card Market Juggernaut

Anthony Edwards is already a fan favorite and a hobby darling. His highlight-reel athleticism, confidence, and leadership have collectors constantly eyeing his rookie cards from 2020-21. If the Timberwolves win it all, Edwards' already strong market will likely skyrocket, especially his Prizm Silver, PSA 10s, and high-end autos like Flawless and National Treasures.

The market already believes in Ant. A Finals MVP would cement him as the future face of the league — and his card values would reflect that immediately.

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🔇 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – OKC’s Silent Killer and Hobby Goldmine

The OKC Thunder have arrived ahead of schedule, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the reason why. Leading a young core, SGA has gone from underrated to undeniable. If the Thunder can shock the world and win the Finals, his rookie cards — especially 2018 Prizm Silver RCs and Clippers autos — could become some of the hottest assets in the hobby.

Collectors are already chasing SGA, but a championship would turn him into a blue-chip investment.

Wax Angle: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander rookie card investment, OKC Thunder NBA Finals card market, SGA Clippers rookie card surge

👑 Nikola Jokic – The Reigning MVP and Collector Favorite

Let’s not forget the reigning king. Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets are still in the hunt for back-to-back titles. A second ring would do more than boost Jokic's legacy — it would cement his place among the greatest centers of all time. That kind of historical context always influences the market.

Look for his 2015-16 rookie cards — particularly Prizm, Select, and high-grade numbered parallels — to explode in value if the Nuggets go the distance. His autograph cards are already rare, which only increases the demand during a championship run.

Wax Angle: Nikola Jokic rookie card value 2025, Jokic second NBA championship card market, best NBA centers all time card investment

💭 Final Thoughts: What a Title Means for These Stars

In the hobby, timing is everything. The NBA Playoffs create moments of opportunity — and for collectors, these next few weeks could define the future value of some of the game’s brightest stars. From Haliburton’s unexpected run to Brunson’s New York takeover, Anthony Edwards' ascension, SGA’s quiet dominance, and Jokic's continued reign — every storyline has its place in the card market.

If you're holding, it might be time to watch and wait. If you're buying, you might want to jump in before the Finals tip off.

Call to Action: Track card values, stay updated on playoff performances, and don't miss your moment in the hobby!