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How to get started in NBA 2K26

There are more ways than ever to play NBA 2K, from building your own legendary team and leading them to glory, to challenging friends in online pick-up games. Our quarter-by-quarter guide is here to help get you off the bench and into the action.

Buy on PlayStation Store

First quarter

Get to grips with the fundamentals

Learn 2K

If you’re completely new to NBA 2K or have just been a spectator, you may need to learn basic moves and controls. If so, head to Learn 2K. This beginner-friendly mode is where you can learn basic movement and different shot types, as well as play mini-games and practice a variety of scenarios.

If you think you’ve got the fundamentals down pat, NBA 2K26 has you covered. Check out the new Intermediate Tutorial, which will familiarize you with more advanced techniques. You’ll learn about the different types of layups and dunks, how to execute simple plays like the pick-and-roll, and more.

These tips and tricks may even give you an edge over seasoned NBA 2K players.

Learn 2K - Stepback

Learn 2K - Quick shot

Learn 2K - Post fade

Learn 2K - Rhythm shooting

Learn 2K - Alley-oop

Play now

With a host of new skills to flaunt, you’ll want to start putting your plays to the test, throw down thunderous dunks and dominate rival teams in Play Now.

In Quick Play, simply choose a team to play as and boom, you’re ballin’. NBA Today is where you’ll find up-to-date gameplans and line-ups for squads (including players out with injury), and Eras Quick Play provides a fun throwback experience where you can choose to play with iconic teams from glory days.

You can also start local and online multiplayer matches from here, or if you're looking for some fast-paced action, hit the streets for a game of Blacktop. Set your match parameters and make it rain.

Second quarter

Become the biggest name in NBA and WNBA history

MyCAREER

Nothing beats gaining experience like starting at the bottom, and in the MyCAREER mode you’ll do just that. Create a player – in your own likeness if you prefer – and express yourself with a huge variety of gear and customizations.

The attributes you select and assign to your player come together in what’s referred to as a Build, and the MyPLAYER Builder gives you the power to create whatever type of player you want. If you’re not sure where to start, don’t worry – you can choose from various presets.

NBA 2K26’s MyCAREER story, Out of Bounds, takes you on a journey as an unknown prospect from a small town in Vermont all the way to the NBA.

To be the best you have to beat the best. You’ll compete against top high school prospects in the country and join a club league team, all to prove you have what it takes to be drafted into the NBA.

Garner the attention of spectators and scouts as you showcase your skills. Make the most of your opportunities and outshine your opponents to make the Club League All-Star team. Play to win and complete objectives to improve your draft stock in the process.

Don’t take your playing time for granted and make the most of every possession.

MyPLAYER Build options

If you know exactly where your strengths lie on the court, this is the Build for you. Choose your position, vital statistics and fine tune your Attribute Potential to your heart’s content.

Decide your player name, jersey number and handedness, select your preferred position and Best Skill (such as Playmaking, Inside Scoring, Outside Scoring, Defence, Balance etc.) and you’ll be presented with a range of well-balanced, pre-built templates that best match your playstyle.

Choose from 40 different Builds to emulate current and past NBA stars, including Steph Curry, Lebron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bam Adebayo and more. These Builds come with signature animations and pre-assigned attributes, and make a great option if you’re unsure where to start with creating a MyPlayer from scratch.

Starting from Season 2, Community Builds will spotlight MyPLAYER creations made by some of the best players in the game. Using these templates may give you a glimpse of what it takes to compete at the highest levels of online play.

Once your MyPLAYER has been created, catch up on your backstory through a series of flashback games and set out on a unique story as you start your rookie season in the NBA.

NBA 2K26 features a new MyCAREER prelude story, Out of Bounds, which takes players where they’ve never gone before.

Outshine your opponents and your draft stock will rise, but if you don’t complete your in-game objectives, your agent might not be able to secure the best opportunities for you.

Work your way through a variety of Quests to earn a regular spot on your team’s roster, secure endorsement opportunities, build your fan base by participating in podcasts, and shape your own career narrative by participating in press conferences.

Explore The City

Away from the roar of the crowds, explore The City* - an immersive, basketball-centric open-world environment. Seek out this year's centralized hub, Boulevard of Stars, for easy access to different game modes, shops featuring items from iconic brands to kit out your MyPLAYER, and your base of operations, MyCOURT.

MyCOURT is the best place to hone your skills between your adventures in The City. You can work on your shooting and dribbling in a freestyle environment - either on your own or with a ball machine - or invite friends and MyCAREER teammates to join you for various games, like 1v1, 3v3, HORSE, and more.

Adjust the Difficulty Settings so that you can practice within the specifications of your favorite game modes to fine-tune your game before you are ready to compete.

*Explore the Neighborhood on PS4

The W

Clash with your rivals and speak your legacy into existence as The W returns in NBA 2K26.

Shape your own career by sharing your aspirations and celebrating successes in press conferences, and earn tiered cosmetic rewards based on your contribution to Community Goals. And in NBA 2K26, if you catch the eye of your rivals you’ll be offered the ultimate sign of respect – the chance to swap jerseys at the end of the game.

If you’re up for the challenge, head online to a stunning outdoor court in a forest grove, where you can play 3v3 multiplayer games amidst a gorgeous backdrop of redwood trees.

Third quarter

Build your dream squad

MyTEAM

By now, you’ll have learned what it takes for an individual to create their own dynasty. Now, take it to the next level in the fan-favorite card-collecting mode, MyTEAM.

Create your dream line-up of players from all eras and take the league by storm by earning upgrades for your team and facilities. Play in a wide variety of game modes such as Breakout, Showdown or King of the Court, or create your own matches with unique win conditions and game formats.

Earn rewards across all MyTEAM modes by spending MTP in the returning Auction House to buy and sell your favorite player cards. Card packs that contain a random assortment of cards can also be purchased in the Player Market.

MyTEAM and MyCAREER are updated every season with new items, cards and rewards. Keep playing regularly to make sure you don’t miss out.

Final quarter

Make the move to management

MyGM

If you find yourself watching games and questioning the decisions made by the GM of your favorite team, MyGM is the place to put your money where your mouth is.

Decide on your GM origin story, whether that’s as an ex-scout or a retired professional player, make the hard calls and define the success of your team with your own management style.

MyGM is bigger than ever before in NBA 2K26, with 30 team-specific storylines, and a total of 98 different conversations available.

It’s up to you to build a well-oiled organization from your MyGM Building. Fill out your staff, check in with your Chief Financial Officer, and decide the ongoing strategy for your team.

The new GM Legacy menu will track your objectives and successes in each save, so you can show off what you have accomplished over your MyGM journey.

Ready for the big-time?

Buy NBA 2K26 at PlayStation®Store

Editions:

Standard Edition
PS4PS5
  • NBA 2K26 for PS4®
  • NBA 2K26 for PS5®
Superstar Edition
PS5
  • NBA 2K26 for PS5®
  • 100,000 VC
  • MyTEAM Content
  • MyCAREER Content

Add-Ons

Rating and Reviews

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Platform:
PS4, PS5
Release:
9/5/2025
Publisher:
2K
Genres:
Sport
Voice:
English
Screen Languages:
Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), English, French (France), German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Spanish
To play this game on PS5, your system may need to be updated to the latest system software. Although this game is playable on PS5, some features available on PS4 may be absent. See PlayStation.com/bc for more details.

Online features require an account and are subject to terms of service and applicable privacy policy (playstationnetwork.com/terms-of-service & playstationnetwork.com/privacy-policy).

Software subject to license (us.playstation.com/softwarelicense).

You can download and play this content on the main PS5 console associated with your account (through the “Console Sharing and Offline Play” setting) and on any other PS5 consoles when you login with your same account.
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