First Look At The Air Jordan 7 “Playoffs” aka “Raptors”

The Air Jordan 7 “Playoffs,” also known as the “Raptors,” will officially return during NBA All-Star Weekend 2027, giving one of the model’s most recognizable original colorways a major release date for its 35th anniversary.

Based on these first-look images via @rachel_nguyen, the upcoming Retro stays true to the familiar formula, pairing a dark grey and black upper with hits of red and purple throughout. It’s a color combination now almost inseparable from the Toronto Raptors, but there’s an amusing problem with that nickname: the shoe predates the franchise.

The Air Jordan 7 originally released in 1992, three years before the Raptors entered the NBA as an expansion team in 1995. The “Raptors” nickname wouldn’t become commonplace until years later after the shoe’s first Retro release in 2002.

That name even became a minor point of contention within the sneaker community. Some longtime collectors rejected “Raptors,” arguing that attaching a then-new NBA franchise to the shoe ignored its original history and context. “Playoffs” has since emerged as the more historically appropriate alternative, although “Raptors” remains the name most sneakerheads immediately recognize.

Either way, Jordan Brand is bringing back an important piece of Air Jordan history; expect the Air Jordan 7 “Raptors/Playoffs” during All-Star Weekend on February 20th, 2027, with additional release details to come. Check out our Jordan Release Dates page for the latest on upcoming 2027 Jordans.

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The post First Look At The Air Jordan 7 "Playoffs" aka "Raptors" appeared first on Sneaker News.

The post First Look At The Air Jordan 7 “Playoffs” aka “Raptors” appeared first on Sneaker News.