2025-26 Topps Now Basketball Debuts With NBA Real-Time Cards

2025-26 Topps Now Basketball Brings NBA Moments to Collectors in Real Time

Topps Now Basketball is making its NBA debut in 2025-26, giving collectors an online-exclusive way to chase the season’s biggest moments as they happen. The print-on-demand format has been a familiar part of Topps Now in other sports, but this is the first time the NBA has received the treatment after Fanatics, Topps’ parent company, took over exclusive licensing rights to produce NBA cards.

For collectors, the appeal is straightforward. New cards are issued on many days throughout the season through Topps.com and Fanatics.com, and each card is available for only 48 hours. Orders are printed to the exact quantity purchased, which means the base print run is open-ended and tied directly to demand. Along with the base cards, some releases can include parallels, short print image variations, autographs, relics, and in select cases autographed relics.

How 2025-26 Topps Now Basketball Works

The set follows the live-event model that has made Topps Now a staple in other sports. Instead of a traditional hobby box or pack release, collectors order individual cards during a limited window. The cards commemorate standout performances, milestone achievements, debut games, and major team moments from across the NBA season.

Because the cards are print-on-demand, the exact number produced for each base card depends on how many are ordered during the sales window. That makes print run data an important part of the checklist, especially for cards that reach higher production tiers and unlock additional Chrome parallels.

Topps also issued special-edition, unnumbered Christmas parallels for cards released after the NBA’s annual Christmas Day games.

Base Parallels and Chrome Parallel Tiers

Base parallels for 2025-26 Topps Now Basketball can include the following foil versions:

Green Foil /99
Gold Foil /50
Orange Foil /25
Black Foil /10
Red Foil /5
FoilFractor /1

For cards with especially high base production, Topps has added special Chrome parallels that unlock at specific print run tiers:

50,000+ Print Run: Chrome parallels /99 and /50
100,000+ Print Run: Chrome parallels /25, /10, /5 and 1/1 SuperFractor
250,000+ Print Run: Opal Chrome parallels /50, /25, /10 and /5
500,000+ Print Run: 1/1 White OpalFractor Chrome

A notable example is the Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel dual card from their January 29, 2026 matchup, card #152. With a print run of 67,580, it became the first Topps Now Basketball card to feature Chrome parallels.

Another major print run milestone came with card #241, which recognizes Flagg’s 51-point performance and currently stands as the highest print run for any 2025-26 Topps Now Basketball card at 99,025. That total fell just short of unlocking the second tier of Chrome parallels.

Autographs, Relics, and Short Print Variations

Topps Now Basketball also includes select chase content beyond the base cards. Some cards are marked for short-printed photo variations, while others have autograph versions, autographed relic versions, or relic versions. The checklist uses the following symbols:

* short-printed photo variations
^ autographed versions
~ autographed relic versions
# relic versions

The source also notes that some cards include 1/1 inscribed signatures. Those special versions add another layer to a product built around timing, player performance, and scarcity tied to real-world demand.

Checklist Structure and Team Set Coverage

The 2025-26 Topps Now Basketball checklist is designed to grow throughout the season, with team set lists organized by month and updated as new cards are released. Team set checklists are broken out by franchise, and the source notes that parallels are not included in the team set listings, which are meant to help collectors track the base team cards and featured moments.

The checklist spans the full NBA landscape, although not every team has cards in every section. For example, the Indiana Pacers section currently lists no cards released.

Early Season and October 2025 Checklist Highlights

The October 2025 checklist set the tone for the product with debut cards, opening-night moments, and early milestones. Among the first cards listed were Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Oklahoma City Thunder, Kevin Durant, Alperen Sengun, Luka Dončić, Cooper Flagg, Dylan Harper, Ace Bailey, Kon Knueppel, VJ Edgecombe, Egor Dëmin, Ryan Kalkbrenner, Tre Johnson, Jeremiah Fears, Walter Clayton Jr., Cedric Coward, Anthony Edwards, and Victor Wembanyama.

Some of the earliest checklist entries included:

1 - Shai Gilgeous-Alexander - MVP’s 35 Points Power 2OT Opening Night Win*
2 - Oklahoma City Thunder - Raise 1st Championship Banner in OKC Ahead of 2OT Win
3 - Kevin Durant - Vintage Form in Rockets Debut With 23-Point Game
4 - Alperen Sengun - 1st Player in NBA History With 35/5/5/5 Line in Opener
5 - Luka Dončić - Joins Lakers Royalty With 43 Pts in 1st LA Opener
6 - Cooper Flagg - 2025 No. 1 Draft Pick Makes NBA Debut^
7 - Dylan Harper - 2025 No. 2 Draft Pick Makes NBA Debut^
8 - Cooper Flagg/Dylan Harper - Top 2025 NBA Draft Picks Face Off in Debuts^
9 - Ace Bailey - 2025 No. 5 Pick Makes NBA Debut^
10 - Kon Knueppel - 2025 No. 4 Pick Makes NBA Debut^
11 - VJ Edgecombe - 34 Points Sets 76ers Rookie Record in NBA Debut
12 - Egor Dëmin - 1st Nets Rookie With Four 3PM in NBA Debut
13 - Ryan Kalkbrenner - 1st Hornets Double-Double in NBA Debut Since ’04
14 - Tre Johnson, 16 Debut Pts Are Most by Wizards Rookie Since ’92
15 - Jeremiah Fears - 2025 No. 7 Pick Makes NBA Debut
16 - Walter Clayton Jr. - 2025 No. 18 Pick Makes NBA Debut
17 - Cedric Coward - Mr. Perfect: 100% From Field in NBA Debut
18 - Anthony Edwards - 41 Pts and Clutch Dagger Cap Record-Breaking Night
19 - Victor Wembanyama - He’s Back: Wemby Out of This World in Return^

That opening stretch also included major performances from Giannis Antetokounmpo, Stephen Curry, Nikola Jokić, and Jalen Brunson, along with team-specific cards for the Thunder and Knicks.

Notable Team Checklist Highlights by Franchise

The team checklists provide a clear look at which players and moments Topps chose to spotlight across the league. Several franchises are especially well represented, with multiple cards tied to record-setting performances and milestone achievements.

Dallas Mavericks and Cooper Flagg

Cooper Flagg appears frequently throughout the checklist, reflecting a season packed with major milestones. His cards include his NBA debut, a matchup with Dylan Harper, a 20-point performance capped by a poster slam, a 35-point game, a 40-point game, a 49-point career high, and his 50-point outing, which became the highest print run card in the set so far.

6 - Cooper Flagg - 2025 No. 1 Draft Pick Makes NBA Debut^
8 - Cooper Flagg/Dylan Harper - Top 2025 NBA Draft Picks Face Off in Debuts^
28 - Cooper Flagg - Poster Slam Caps 1st Career 20-Point Performance
60 - Cooper Flagg - Top Pick Fuels Group Stage Win With Career Night
67 - Cooper Flagg - Making History: Youngest Ever With 35-Point
86 - Cooper Flagg - Youngest Player in NBA History to Score 40+ Points~
150 - Cooper Flagg - Career-High 49 Pts Are Most by Teenager All-Time~
193 - Cooper Flagg - Second-Youngest Ever to Score 1,000 Career Pts
207 - Cooper Flagg - Second-Youngest Ever With 25-Point, 10-Assist Game
241 - Cooper Flagg - Youngest Player in NBA History to Score 50+ Points^
242 - Cooper Flagg - Rivals NBA Royalty With Historic Scoring Run
253 - Cooper Flagg - 1st Rookie Since ’85 to Lead Team in Pts/Reb/Ast/Stl

Los Angeles Lakers and Luka Dončić

The Lakers section is one of the deepest in the checklist, with Luka Dončić and LeBron James driving much of the coverage. The cards track Dončić’s scoring milestones, triple-doubles, and franchise records, while James appears on cards tied to season and career benchmarks.

5 - Luka Dončić - Joins Lakers Royalty With 43 Pts in 1st LA Opener
24 - Luka Dončić - 1st to Open Season With Back-to-Back 40/10/5 Games
31 - Austin Reaves - 5th Laker This Century With 50-Plus Point Game
37 - Austin Reaves - Game-Winning Buzzer-Beater Caps Historic Night
58 - LeBron James - King James Sets NBA Record With 23rd Season ^
77 - Luka Dončić - 49th 30-Pt Triple-Double is 2nd-Most in NBA History
134 - LeBron James - And Counting: 1st Player to Reach 51K Career Points
154 - Luka Dončić - Records Fastest 30 Pt Triple-Double in NBA History
204 - Luka Dončić - 51-Point Scoring Eruption Marks Lakers Career High
216 - Luka Dončić - Sets LA Single-Season 3PT Mark in 60-Pt Masterclass*
221 - LeBron James - Same King, New Crown: Most Games Played Ever (1,612)*
235 - LeBron James - Wins King: 1,229th Career Victory is Most Ever
256 - Luka Dončić - 2nd Career Scoring Title Ties for Most Ever by PG

Oklahoma City Thunder and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander anchors the Thunder checklist with a run of cards that document scoring streaks, playoff-level performances, and milestone achievements. The Thunder also appear on team cards tied to the championship banner and an all-time best start.

1 - Shai Gilgeous-Alexander - MVP’s 35 Points Power 2OT Opening Night Win*
2 - Oklahoma City Thunder - Raise 1st Championship Banner in OKC Ahead of 2OT Win
20 - Shai Gilgeous-Alexander - Career-High 55 Points Fuels 2OT Finals Rematch Win
44 - Shai Gilgeous-Alexander - 80-Game Pts Streak Passes Robertson for 3rd-Longest
69 - Shai Gilgeous-Alexander - Historic 20-Pt Scoring Streak Now 2nd All-Time
98 - Shai Gilgeous-Alexander - 20+ Pts Streak Extended to 100 Straight Games
171 - Nikola Topic - Standing Ovation Heralds Inspiring NBA Debut
200 - Shai Gilgeous-Alexander - Clutch Game-Winning Triple Caps Record-Tying Night
205 - Shai Gilegous-Alexander - 127-Straight 20-Pt Games Bests Wilt’s Iconic Streak*^#~
232 - Shai Gilgeous-Alexander - SGA 2K: Most 2,000 Point Season by PG Since ’65

San Antonio Spurs and Victor Wembanyama

Victor Wembanyama is another central figure in the checklist, with cards that follow his return, block streaks, scoring outbursts, and playoff-clinching moments. The Spurs section also includes Dylan Harper, Stephon Castle, De’Aaron Fox, and Julian Champagnie.

19 - Victor Wembanyama - He’s Back: Wemby Out of This World in Return^
49 - Victor Wembanyama - Clutch Threes Seal Win on Record-Setting Night
83 - Victor Wembanyama - Return Fuels Upset Win, 1st NBA Cup Final Berth
127 - Victor Wembanyama - 2nd-Youngest in NBA History With 500 Career Blocks~
148 - Victor Wembanyama - Only the Beginning 28/16 + 5 Blk in 150th Game
164 - Stephon Castle - 3rd-Youngest Ever With 40-Point Triple Double*^
191 - Victor Wembanyama - First Player Ever to Win DPOM + POTM in Same Month
219 - Victor Wembanyama - Game Winner Seals First Spurs Playoff Berth Since 2019*
238 - Victor Wembanyama - Youngest Player Ever With Consecutive 40/15 Games

Philadelphia 76ers, Charlotte Hornets, and Other Rookie Storylines

Several rookie-driven sections stand out across the checklist. VJ Edgecombe, Kon Knueppel, Jeremiah Fears, Ace Bailey, Walter Clayton Jr., and Cedric Coward all appear on cards tied to debuts and early career milestones.

11 - VJ Edgecombe - 34 Points Sets 76ers Rookie Record in NBA Debut
32 - VJ Edgecombe/Tyrese Maxey - Sixers Star Duo Makes Scoring History in 3-0 Start
108 - VJ Edgecombe - Game-Winning Three Lifts Sixers in OT Thriller
174 - VJ Edgecombe - Rookie Phenom Named 2026 Castrol Rising Stars MVP#
218 - VJ Edgecombe - Explodes for Career-High 38 Pts & 11 Ast in Big Win
10 - Kon Knueppel - 2025 No. 4 Pick Makes NBA Debut^
41 - Kon Knueppel - 22 3PM are Most Ever Through Player’s 1st 7 Games
97 - Kon Knueppel - Fastest to 100 Threes in NBA History
167 - Kon Knueppel - Bucket: 1st 2025 Rookie to Reach 1K Career Points
184 - Kon Knueppel - Shatters All-Time Rookie Mark With 207th Career 3PM*~
252 - Kon Knueppel - 1st Rookie in NBA History to Lead League in 3PM^
15 - Jeremiah Fears - 2025 No. 7 Pick Makes NBA Debut
190 - Jeremiah Fears - Zero Fears: Youngest PG Ever With 25 Pts in Game
247 - Jeremiah Fears - 40-Point Explosion Sets Pels Rookie Scoring Record
9 - Ace Bailey - 2025 No. 5 Pick Makes NBA Debut^
139 - Ace Bailey - 1st Teenager in Jazz History to Record 25+ Pts
217 - Ace Bailey - Aced: Career-High 33 Pts Fuel Blowout Victory
16 - Walter Clayton Jr. - 2025 No. 18 Pick Makes NBA Debut
189 - Walter Clayton Jr. - 14 Ast Tie Ja Morant for Grizzlies Rookie Record
17 - Cedric Coward - Mr. Perfect: 100% From Field in NBA Debut
26 - Cedric Coward - Perfect From Three in History-Making 27-Point Show^

Print Run Notes and Collector Tracking

Because Topps Now is driven by demand, print run data is one of the most closely watched parts of the release. The checklist includes known print runs where available, and those totals help collectors identify which cards crossed the thresholds for Chrome parallels or reached especially high production levels.

Among the cards with notable print runs are the following:

1 - Shai Gilgeous-Alexander - PR: 7,695
6 - Cooper Flagg - PR: 43,182
20 - Shai Gilgeous-Alexander - PR: 1,280
24 - Luka Dončić - PR: 1,922
67 - Cooper Flagg - PR: 14,329
86 - Cooper Flagg - PR: 42,224
97 - Kon Knueppel - PR: 6,945
103 - Nikola Jokic - PR: 7,374
152 - Cooper Flagg/Kon Knueppel - PR: 67,580
177 - Anthony Edwards - PR: 5,155
205 - Shai Gilegous-Alexander - PR: 21,058
241 - Cooper Flagg - PR: 99,025

The checklist continues to expand across the season, with cards organized by month from October 2025 through April 2026. That structure gives collectors a running record of the NBA season through Topps Now, while the team set lists make it easier to track which players and milestones have already been featured for each franchise.