This was actually a Ticker item from Wednesday, but it’s also one of those funny uniform mix-ups that really deserves a short article, if only for the comedic value.
Buddy Hield became the latest athlete to enter play wearing the “wrong” uniform — in his case, guard Buddy Hield hit the court in blue-trimmed shorts, which clashed with his teammates’ gold-trimmed ones.
Here’s what happened: In the first minute of Game 1 between the Golden State Warriors and the Minnesota Timberwolves, Hield took the floor wearing a mismatched uniform: black and blue shorts instead of the Warriors’ official black and yellow shorts.
The Timberwolves’ bench spotted the error, and Hield, realising the mistake, cracked a smile before sprinting off the court and into the locker room to change. That caused a brief delay, forcing the Warriors to waste an early time out, while officials also decided to hit the Warriors with a delay of game penalty.
Buddy Hield started the game in the wrong shorts, so he had to run back to the locker room and change 😅 pic.twitter.com/8AxoDdBkLK
— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) May 7, 2025
Hey these things happen. But it was pretty hilarious, and check out Warriors coach Steve Kerr’s expression upon noticing the mistake:
The moment Steve Kerr and Buddy Hield realized he was wearing the wrong shorts 😂
(via @warriors)
— Ball Don’t Lie (@Balldontlie) May 8, 2025
In Hield’s defense, this feels like it would be an easy mistake to make. The shorts he was supposed to be wearing — and which he eventually returned to the locker room to put on — are seen below on the left, while on the right are the pants he originally wore.
After the brief delay, Hield returned from the locker room in the correct shorts and played the rest of the game without incident.
He blamed the mix up on his teammate, Jimmy Butler.
“Jimmy switched it out,” Hield joked during their joint postgame press conference. “That was Jimmy’s fault. Jimmy switched it out, and that’s what happened. So I was looking for my shorts and I thought it was the right ones. He said, ‘Yo, put these on.’ … Yeah, I’m going with it was Jimmy’s fault,” Hield continued. “His locker’s next to my locker. I was looking for my shorts … I put them on, they look just alike. Got a fine for it. So it’s cool, but it’s Jimmy’s fault. Blame Jimmy.”
Buddy blames Jimmy for his wardrobe malfunction to start tonight's game 😅 pic.twitter.com/zdaNNS8hYh
— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) May 7, 2025
That was definitely one of the best post game pressers I’ve ever seen too. Glad they were both able to have fun with it.
What was the best (or funniest, or most embarassing) uni mix up you can remember? This one is up there because of how it was handled.
Clearly shows there should not be 2 uniforms which look so similar. Should have white, yellow, blue. That’s it. Could never make this mistake.
The entire Dubs team was wearing wrong uniforms – they should have been wearing the Icon jerseys instead of that wretched Statement.
Statement and City edition are far too similar, black with arched lettering above and below the numbers and side panels. They should wear their “regular” unis anyway in the playoffs, I’m tired of this nonsense in games that matter. Also traditional home and away unis should be respected in the playoffs. Signed, a grumpy old man.
I agree !!! NBA, are you listening??? Please restore the home ‘white’ and ‘dark’ road uniform rule !! There is no need to do this ‘statement’ and ‘icon’ stuff to sell jerseys, jerseys are going to sell anyway !!!!
Agree. The NBA has way too many uniforms and is in dire need of of a standard uniform policy. White /Light-Home, Dark-Road or vice versa. Maybe entertain a throwback now and then, but that’s it. They also have so many different court designs., quite honestly, I can’t tell who’s playing unless the score bug is available.
The NBA & MLB has to start using another word instead of “uniform” because there is nothing uniform about how players dress for games these days. Players on the same team wear different colored sneakers or spikes, different styled socks, different colored belts, protective padding in non-team colors, different colored undersleeves. If you want to dress like a unique individual then don’t play team sports.
Preaching to the choir, friend. Could not agree more.
Sorry to be that guy, but Hield is misspelled as “Heild” in the second graf.
Multiple times, I now see – including in the head.
Ugh. Apparently I’m having troubles with “I before E, except after C” or something.
Now fixed. Thanks.
I’m a little surprised mix-ups like this happen (shorts in the NBA, hats and sometime jerseys in MLB). I’m not talking about players being unable to sift through the glut of Nike cash grab costumes, that make things like this inevitable. I’m saying I’m a little amazed they are put in a position to make these kind of fashion goofs. I don’t know how a pro clubhouse operates, but with all the uniforms that teams have, they don’t have clubhouse staff set their unis-of-the-day up for them? I picture someone taking the choice out of their hands, like a mom laying out a kid’s school clothes for the next day.
Best wrong uniform has to be the Giants and Diamondbacks bench clearer wear Randy Johnson puts on the wrong cap afterward and has a confused look on his face when he discovers the error. Hah
Man, those uniforms are lame.
It was a funny moment. But it is also telling: too many similar outfits per team, including practice gear.