“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” That age-old wisdom is evidently top of mind for both Ja Morant and the team of Nike designers tasked with building out his signature line, particularly when it comes to his trademark “Scratch” theme. After fans of the high-flyer clamored for a public release for the original PE, Beaverton eventually gave in and also added a “Reverse” colorway as the Ja 1 neared the end of its life cycle. In the follow-up edition, it’s been onwards and upwards, as a third “Scratch” edition of the Ja 2 is looming for Summer/Fall ’25.
This hi-visibility edition comes after a conventional, Memphis-themed reprise of the “Scratch” and a more creative interpretation as a part of the “Black Label” collection. True to those pairs, the claw marks remain in the same spot, cutting across the lateral quarter panel. While the neon-tinged palette certainly makes for an attention-grabbing pair, we’re inclined to believe that there’s a larger narrative at play; some of the pairs he “leaked” earlier in the season carry similar tonality. What we can spot from these initial angles is that this sports a “NRG NY” subtitle, likely indicating that this is the NY v. NY release for Morant’s second model. If so, it’d align well with what we’ve come to expect — he chalked off a make-up of his first shoe to the yearly tournament in 2024.
The Nike Ja 2 “Scratch” in green and pink releases sometime in May, likely carrying the usual $120 retail price. Catch detailed shots included below and keep an eye on our Sneaker Release Dates page for direct pick-up links once this pair does touch down.
