Entering the 2025-26 season with the fourth-lowest over/under line in the NBA, the Charlotte Hornets certainly have their work cut out for them in attempting to see any type of postseason action. New blood, like Kon Knueppel and Colin Sexton, will help, but as it has been for the past few years, their hopes really live and die with LaMelo Ball. We’ll save prognosticating on their chances at achieving that goal for later, but at least we know Ball will be doing it in style.
The PUMA MB.05 has been off to a hot start, continuing the maximalist, eccentric themes that’ve made Ball’s signature line deserving of its “One of One” moniker. Chalking off a pink “World Tour” and lime green “Voltage,” in-your-face tonality is very much still in focus with the MB.05 “Encore,” cooking up a fiery blend of red and yellow. Though the color-up is impactful in its own right, what this variation continues to illustrate is PUMA and LaMelo’s willingness to experiment beyond just simple shading swaps. The tie-dye foundation for this shoe and the flat synthetic base that accompanies it mark a divergence from its predecessors, having utilized feathery and psychedelic patterns in its first two looks.
The PUMA MB.05 “Encore” drops on November 6th, in adults’, GS, and PS sizing, retailing for $130, $110, and $90, respectively. Catch official images below and keep our Sneaker Release Dates page close by for direct pick-up links upon arrival.
