Air Jordan 4 'Lakers' (2026): The Imperial Purple Story

The Air Jordan 4 Retro 'Lakers' is the Imperial Purple/Multi-Color Air Jordan 4, style code FV5029-500, a Los Angeles-leaning colourway that debuted at NBA All-Star Weekend in LA before its general release on 7 March 2026. Also known as the Lakeshow, it puts purple and yellow on the 1989 silhouette Tinker Hatfield built for Michael Jordan.

The Air Jordan 4 Retro 'Lakers' (2026) is live now in the Air Jordan 4 range at PUSHAS, and every pair is authenticated by hand before it ships.

A purple Four made for Los Angeles

Jordan Brand timed this pair to the 2026 NBA All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles, and the palette nods to the Lakers without saying so outright. There is no team logo anywhere on the shoe, and it is not an official Lakers collaboration. The link lives in the colour story: a purple upper set against yellow accents, the Lakers' colours.

What makes it interesting is the shade. Imperial Purple is darker than a typical team purple, leaning towards indigo. That gives the shoe a quieter, more wearable read than a straight team-colour pair, while the yellow hits carry the LA reference.

Materials and details

The upper is dressed almost entirely in Imperial Purple, with black taking over the signature mesh netting, the laces and the lace wings. Grey and off-white act as neutrals, keeping the purple from feeling heavy.

The yellow is used sparingly and deliberately. It lands on the Jumpman on the tongue, the speckled Nike Air branding on the heel and the insoles, so the gold only shows in flashes. Underfoot, a visible Air unit sits in the midsole and a translucent, icy outsole finishes the build.

The packaging carries its own story. The pair comes in the classic Jordan face shoebox, with a hangtag and matching sticker reading "we outside", a small detail collectors will want to keep with the shoes.

History and lineage

The Air Jordan 4 was designed by Tinker Hatfield and released in 1989. It kept the visible Air unit of its predecessor and added the details that still define it today: breathable over-moulded mesh panels on the sides and the plastic lace wings that help lock down the midfoot.

It was also the first Air Jordan released globally rather than primarily in the United States. Its place in basketball history was sealed on 7 May 1989, when Jordan hit The Shot over Craig Ehlo against the Cleveland Cavaliers while wearing the Four. The same year, the white cement pair appeared in Spike Lee's film Do the Right Thing. For more of the model's strongest pairs, see our top Jordan 4 colourways.

How it fits and wears

Most wearers report the Air Jordan 4 fits true to size. Advice for wider feet varies on recent pairs, so check the Jordan 4 size guide for measurements and a size-by-size breakdown before you choose.

How to style it

Because the purple runs deep, the shoe works best with a restrained outfit that lets the colour lead. Black is the natural partner: black denim or cargos pick up the netting, wings and laces, and keep the look clean. Washed grey fleece or a grey hoodie echoes the neutral details and softens the purple.

If you want to lean into the LA reference, add a single yellow or gold piece, such as a cap or a knit, and stop there. Loose, straight-leg trousers that break just above the collar show off the silhouette, while cropped shorts in summer put the full colour blocking on display.

Who it is built for

Live now at PUSHAS

Stock as of 8 October 2026. 21 US men's sizes are live, from US M 3.5 to US M 14.

Every pair is authenticated by hand, so you can shop with confidence. The live listing shows the current price. Find your size on the Air Jordan 4 Retro 'Lakers' (2026) page.

For another recent Four with a strong story, read about the Nigel Sylvester AJ4 'Brick After Brick', or browse the wider Air Jordan collection.

FAQ

What is the Jordan 4 Lakers?

The Jordan 4 Lakers is an Air Jordan 4 Retro in the official Imperial Purple/Multi-Color colourway, style code FV5029-500. It is also known as the Lakeshow and pairs a deep purple upper with yellow Jumpman and Nike Air hits, black wings and netting, and a translucent outsole.

When did the Jordan 4 Lakers 2026 release?

It arrived early during NBA All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles in February 2026, then released generally on 7 March 2026.

Is Imperial Purple the official name of the Jordan 4 Lakers?

Imperial Purple is the official colourway, listed as Imperial Purple/Multi-Color. Lakers and Lakeshow are the nicknames the pair is known by.

Are these official Lakers Jordans?

No. The pair carries no Lakers branding and is not an official team collaboration. The connection comes through its purple and yellow palette and its All-Star Weekend debut in Los Angeles.

How does the Jordan 4 Lakers fit?

Most wearers report the Air Jordan 4 fits true to size. Advice for wider feet varies, so the Jordan 4 size guide is worth checking before you choose.