It’s about more than basketball. Seriously. When you see a Golden State Warriors jersey Chinese New Year edition—specifically the ones that started popping up around 2015—you’re looking at a massive shift in how the NBA handles global branding. It wasn't just a marketing gimmick. It was a nod to the fact that San Francisco has one of the oldest and most vibrant Chinatowns in the world.
The Warriors weren't the first to think of it (the Rockets had a head start for obvious Yao Ming-related reasons), but they definitely perfected the aesthetic.
Remember the sleeves? Oh man, the sleeves. Back in 2015, Adidas was pushing those short-sleeved jerseys hard. Most fans hated them. But the first Warriors Lunar New Year jersey actually made them work. It had that slate colorway and the beautiful circular logo with the red ribbon lettering. It felt different. It felt like something you’d wear to a family dinner, not just to a game at Oracle Arena.
The Design Evolution of the Golden State Warriors Jersey Chinese New Year
Most people don't realize how much thought goes into these. It’s not just "put some red on it and call it a day." The designers have to balance the high-voltage Warriors "Bay Bridge" branding with traditional Chinese iconography.
Take the 2018 version. That was the year they went with the "The Bay" logo. They incorporated a dragon on the chest, which is a huge deal in Chinese culture. Dragons represent power, strength, and good luck. If you’re Steph Curry or Klay Thompson, those are basically your job descriptions. The colors are always the focal point. Red symbolizes luck and joy. Gold, which obviously fits the Warriors perfectly, represents wealth and prosperity. It’s a match made in heaven for a team based in a city literally named after the Gold Rush.
Wait. Let’s talk about the "City" edition overlap.
Lately, Nike has folded the Lunar New Year celebrations into their "City Edition" or "Earned Edition" lines. This makes it a bit harder to track for collectors, but it adds layers of meaning. In 2021 and 2022, we saw designs that moved away from the literal dragon imagery and toward more subtle, stylized patterns inspired by Chinese coins or traditional textiles. Honestly, I think the subtle stuff hits harder. It shows a level of maturity in the design language that wasn't there ten years ago.
💡 You might also like: Navy Notre Dame Football: Why This Rivalry Still Hits Different
Why the Bay Area Connection Matters
You can't talk about this jersey without talking about San Francisco and Oakland.
The Warriors are the Bay’s team. Period. With a massive Asian-American population in the region, these jerseys are a way of saying "we see you." It’s a community outreach tool that actually looks cool. When Joe Lacob and Peter Guber bought the team, they knew they had to tap into the international market. China loves basketball. Like, really loves it.
The Warriors became "The Team" in China during the dynasty years.
Winning championships helps. A lot. When you have the greatest shooter in history wearing a jersey that specifically honors your heritage, you're going to buy that jersey. It’s why you see these specific editions all over the streets of Shanghai and Beijing, not just in the Sunset District of SF.
A Quick Look at Key Versions
- 2015 Original: The sleeve era. Slate grey with red and gold accents. The "Warriors" text was written in a style mimicking Chinese calligraphy.
- 2018 Dragon: Probably the most famous. It featured a prominent dragon wrapped around the bridge logo.
- 2023-2024 Variations: These often feature smaller hits of red on the side panels or special jock tags that signify the Year of the Dragon or the Year of the Rabbit.
The Resale Market and Collector’s Value
If you’re trying to find an authentic 2015 or 2018 Golden State Warriors jersey Chinese New Year edition today, good luck. You're going to pay a premium.
Because these were "special event" jerseys, they weren't produced in the same massive quantities as the standard home whites or road blues. If you find a Curry or Durant version from that era in good condition, it’s basically a retirement fund. Okay, maybe not that much, but easily double or triple the original retail price.
📖 Related: LeBron James Without Beard: Why the King Rarely Goes Clean Shaven Anymore
The fake market is also huge. Be careful. If the stitching on the dragon looks like a bird with a stroke, it’s probably not legit. Real Nike or Adidas versions have very specific densities to the embroidery. Also, check the inner tags. Authentic NBA jerseys from the Nike era (2017-present) have a silver "NBA Authentics" tag with a serial number that actually means something.
Misconceptions About the "Red" Jersey
A common mistake fans make is thinking every red Warriors jersey is for Chinese New Year.
Nope.
The Warriors have used red accents in various "City Edition" jerseys that were actually inspired by the 1960s San Francisco Warriors era or even the "The City" cable car logos. The true Lunar New Year editions almost always feature specific characters or localized symbols—like the "San Francisco" written in Chinese characters (旧金山) which literally translates to "Old Gold Mountain."
That name, "Old Gold Mountain," is what Chinese immigrants called San Francisco during the Gold Rush. Putting that on a jersey? That’s deep. That’s not just a marketing guy playing with a color palette. That’s history.
How to Style and Care for These Jerseys
Don't wash them in hot water. Ever.
👉 See also: When is Georgia's next game: The 2026 Bulldog schedule and what to expect
If you own one of these, you have to treat it like a piece of art. The heat-pressed numbers on the newer Nike versions will crack if you look at them wrong. Flip it inside out, cold water, delicate cycle. Hang dry. If you put it in the dryer, the gold foil accents will peel off and you’ll be left with a very expensive rag.
In terms of wearing them out, these jerseys are loud. Let them be the centerpiece. Pair them with neutral colors—black jeans or dark joggers. You don't want to compete with a giant gold dragon on your chest.
The Future of the Tradition
As we move into 2026 and beyond, expect the Warriors to keep pushing the envelope. The NBA has seen the revenue numbers. They know these jerseys work.
But more importantly, the players like them. Draymond Green has been vocal about the importance of the team’s connection to the community. When the players buy in, the fans buy in. We might see more collaborations with actual Asian-American artists from the Bay Area for future designs, rather than just relying on in-house Nike designers. That would be the next logical step for authenticity.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans and Collectors
If you're looking to snag one of these or just want to appreciate the culture, here is what you need to do:
- Check the NBA Store early: These usually drop in late January or early February depending on when the Lunar New Year falls. They sell out fast.
- Verify Authenticity: If buying from eBay or Grailed, always ask for a photo of the wash tags and the NBA hologram. If the seller refuses, walk away.
- Learn the Symbols: Before you buy, look up the animal of the year. Wearing a "Year of the Pig" jersey during the "Year of the Dragon" isn't a crime, but it shows you aren't just following a trend.
- Visit the Warriors Shop at Thrive City: If you’re in San Francisco, the flagship store often has "exclusive to arena" merchandise that never makes it to the website, including special patches or pins.