If you tuned in to watch the Milwaukee Bucks play against the Boston Celtics tonight, chances are an extra accessory on their NBA jerseys stood out to you. The players sported ‘1950’ patches on their jerseys. It’s a subtle yet distinct addition to the outfits of some of the biggest basketball stars, a commemorative patch for a historic day. The NBA rolled out a new midseason event, the Pioneers Classic, today, February 1, with a special trophy.

The ‘1950’ patches are one of the many tributes we’ve seen over the years. While the NBA is known for its ‘City Edition’ designs and occasional holiday themes, the newest initiative isn’t about a new trend or collectible. It is about a profound debt of gratitude to a certain generation of players.

What does the ‘1950’ patch on NBA jerseys mean?

The ‘1950’ patch is the centerpiece of the league’s inaugural NBA Pioneers Day, a part of its continued annual celebration of Black History Month on the 75th anniversary. The patch worn honors the three men who broke the color barrier: Chuck Cooper, Nathaniel “Sweetwater” Clifton, and Earl Lloyd.

The NBA officially debuted these patches during the Pioneers Classic on February 1, 2026, a marquee matchup between the Boston Celtics and the Milwaukee Bucks. Each uniform featured a ‘Pioneers Classic’ patch above the name and a ‘1950’ patch beneath the jersey number on the back.

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The Bucks and Celtics players also wore shooting T-shirts with the names of Cooper, Clifton, and Lloyd emblazoned on the back.

By wearing the ‘1950’ patch, players carry the legacy of the pioneers who transformed the NBA into a global, inclusive powerhouse.

Why is 1950 significant in NBA history?

The year 1950 serves as ‘Year Zero’ for the modern, integrated NBA. The Basketball Association of America (BAA) merged with the National Basketball League (NBL) to form the National Basketball Association (NBA) in 1949. Back then, the 17 teams initially chosen shut out Black players. However, that changed within one season, and the NBA brought in integration in the 1950-51 season.

Three significant events occurred in 1950:

The 1950 draft saw the selection of Chuck Cooper, the first Black player to enter the NBA, who was selected 13th overall by the Boston Celtics. The Celtics are a different team today, playing in the newer TD Garden. But the team’s foundation for the modern NBA outlook is why it inaugurated the Pioneers Classic.

Nat “Sweetwater” Clifton officially signed his contract with the New York Knicks on May 24, 1950, becoming the second African American player to sign an NBA contract. The former Harlem Globetrotters star made his NBA debut that November with the New York Knicks.

The 1950-51 season kicked off with Earl Lloyd becoming the first Black player to step onto an NBA court, suiting up for the Washington Capitols on October 31.

“You just have a responsibility to the people who came before you to move it forward,” Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla said tonight. “One, to be appreciative of what those before you have done on and off the court, and then the second piece to that is doing your part and moving that forward and kind of leaving it better.”

And the 1950 patch is just one of the ways they’re doing that.

Is the 1950 patch part of an NBA-wide celebration?

Milwaukee Bucks player Bobby Portis made his acting debut portraying Earl Lloyd in the 2023 biopic, Sweetwater, which chronicles the life of Nat Clifton.

Today, Portis reminisced that the three pioneers didn’t know they were making history at the time.

“They were just trying to make it to the league because they had passions and dreams of playing basketball, but in real time, they didn’t know they were going to be legends,” the Bucks player said.

These unintentional legends are defining the NBA’s historic celebration of Black History Month. The NBA and the NBPA have partnered to ensure this isn’t just a one-day event. While the Pioneers Classic is the focal point today, the celebrations extend throughout the 2025-26 season.

The league has been awarding scholarships to HBCU students amid the launch of the new Pioneer line of merchandise by Mitchell & Ness’ Lynn Bloom.

But it’s the Pioneers Classic that will be the highlight of every celebration from now on. Every year on February 1, a marquee matchup will be held between two teams to compete for the Pioneers Classic Trophy, a piece of glossy hardware that is 19.50″ tall and 20.25 cm wide.

Cooper’s team, the Celtics, won the inaugural NBA Pioneers Classic, defeating the Milwaukee Bucks 107-79. Jaylen Brown scored an astounding 30 points tonight.

The three legends’ names and jersey numbers also appeared on the TD Garden court and on the stanchion beneath each basket. Relatives of Cooper, Clifton, and Lloyd joined Brown on the court for a pregame address, while families of Bill Russell (the first Black head coach) and Red Auerbach (Celtics head coach in 1950) were also present.

Which teams are wearing the 1950 patch?

As participants in the inaugural Pioneers Classic, only the Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks are wearing the special patches tonight. These two franchises were chosen for their historical ties: the Celtics, for drafting the first Black player, and the Bucks (formerly the Hawks), one of the original franchises from that era.

Chuck Cooper’s family released a statement celebrating the league’s decision to launch the Pioneers Classic in Boston.

“The Pioneers Classic belongs in Boston because of the Celtics courageous conviction from the start,” the Coopers told NBA.com. Drafting Cooper as the first official act to integrate the NBA, starting the league’s first Black starting five, Bill Russell was the league’s first Black coach. That’s not a coincidence. That’s leadership that sets the standard of excellence. That standard still defines the NBA’s winningest franchise today.”

“A pioneer, by definition, if a leader, is an innovator and a forward thinker,” Brown said ahead of the game. “Who will be the pioneers of this generation? On the behalf of the NBA, I want to say thank you, thank you, Boston. Let’s have a good game.”

Brown also maintains close ties with the families of Cooper and Russell. They were all ecstatic to have him represent the 1950 legends.