Nike Twelve Time “Nightmare” Releases September 2026

Nike Twelve Time “Nightmare” Brings Ja Morant’s Budget Line Under $100

Nike Basketball is expanding Ja Morant’s signature world with the Nike Twelve Time “Nightmare”, a new performance model that arrives with one very important detail: the price. While most modern signature basketball shoes continue to move higher, the Twelve Time comes in at $90, making it one of the more interesting hoops releases of the season.

That under-$100 mark matters. It gives younger hoopers, casual players and Ja fans a more accessible way into the line without jumping straight into the higher-priced Ja models. For a market where basketball shoes often sit well above $120 or $130, this feels like a smart move from Nike.

A New Ja Model With a Dark “Nightmare” Look

The “Nightmare” colorway comes dressed in Purple Dynasty, Black, Iron Grey and Multi-Color tones. The upper features a deep purple base, while black detailing hits the laces, collar and Swoosh. Iron Grey takes over the aggressive midsole tooling, creating a darker look that matches the “Nightmare” name well.

Visually, the shoe feels connected to Ja’s recent design language, but it does not look like a simple budget version of another model. The Twelve Time has its own identity, with sharp midsole teeth, repeated Ja logo details on the heel and a low-cut build made for quick movement.

Why the Twelve Time Line Matters

The big story here is not only the colorway. It is the positioning. The Nike Twelve Time appears to be Ja Morant’s more affordable basketball option, sitting alongside his main signature line instead of replacing it. That gives Nike a wider Ja lineup and could make the model especially interesting for team basketball, young players and anyone looking for a solid court shoe at a lower retail price.

The name also ties back to Ja’s number 12 and his wider basketball identity. Nike has used “Twelve Time” language around Ja before, and this model now turns that idea into a full footwear line.

Release Date and Price

The Nike Twelve Time “Nightmare” is currently expected to release on September 4, 2026 for $90. The style code is IM4164-500.

With the “Nightmare” colorway launching alongside other early Twelve Time styles, this could become one of the better value basketball shoes to watch in 2026. It may not have the same hype level as a mainline Ja signature, but the price, the colorway and the Ja connection make this release worth keeping an eye on.