Skechers' Stylish Comeback
OG Anunoby's NBA Finals Tunnel Walk Showcases Skechers' Modern D'Lites 330
When OG Anunoby walked into the arena for Game 3 of the 2026 NBA Finals, all eyes went straight to his feet. The New York Knicks forward was wearing the Skechers Arch Fit D'Lites 330 — a chunky, Y2K-era sneaker that has suddenly become one of the hottest shoes in fashion, according to Highsnobiety and Hypebeast.
Skechers has long been known more for comfort than cool. But Anunoby's tunnel walk moment changed that story fast. The image went viral, and the D'Lites 330 became the sneaker everyone was talking about.
The Shoe That Turned Back the Clock to 2002
The Arch Fit D'Lites 330 is a modern update of the original Skechers D'Lites, a chunky sneaker that first dropped in 2002. That silhouette — thick sole, bold shape — defined early 2000s style. Now, 20 years later, fashion is cycling back, according to Greenville Online. Skechers kept the big, stompy look but cleaned it up with sharper lines and a more polished finish.
Chase Greenberg, Skechers VP of Product Development, said the goal was simple. "The result feels nostalgic while still aligning with how consumers want to wear sneakers today," he told Highsnobiety. The shoe also includes Skechers' Arch Fit support technology, so it is not just a fashion piece — it is built to feel good on your feet.
Anunoby Makes Skechers an NBA Finals Story
Anunoby signed with Skechers as a brand ambassador in July 2025. Since then, he has worn the brand everywhere — from the court to the tunnel. On May 25, 2026, he wore the SKX Nexus during the Knicks' series win over Cleveland, according to HotNewHipHop. Then came Game 3 of the Finals, when the D'Lites 330 tunnel walk photo spread across social media.
Game 4 made the story even bigger. Anunoby hit a game-winning shot in his Skechers SKX Nexus "NYC Blue" shoes, completing a 29-point comeback — the largest in Finals history, per KICKS CREW. He said, "Skechers has helped me continue to play basketball at an elite level... I love these shoes," according to Sole Retriever.
Skechers Has Been Building Toward This Moment
This did not happen overnight. Skechers re-entered the basketball shoe market in October 2023 with two new models. Then in April 2024, NBA MVP Joel Embiid signed with the brand after leaving Under Armour, per Sports Illustrated. Three months later, Skechers reported a record $2.19 billion in second-quarter revenue, according to Front Office Sports.
The brand spent much of the 2010s stuck with a "dad shoe" image. The pivot started by signing players known for real performance, not just hype. The SKX Nexus retails for $100 — far cheaper than rivals priced at $160 to $200, per NBC News. That mix of performance and value is core to Skechers' strategy.
Two Versions, One Mission: Style Meets Comfort
The D'Lites 330 comes in two forms. The core version focuses on everyday wearability and versatility. The "Modern Retro Jogger" version leans into style, with a cleaner, more fashion-forward look. Highsnobiety called it a "delightful glow-up" and named it the definitive sneaker of the "New Y2K" era on June 13, 2026.
Not everyone is fully convinced. Esquire notes that Skechers are "still not sexy" by traditional standards. But the magazine admits the brand's "coolness" comes from how athletes like Anunoby wear them — blending high-fashion pieces with a brand most people wrote off years ago. When you win a Finals game in them, the conversation changes.
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