Today is the first in a few reveals that 2KGames has scheduled for the upcoming NBA 2K26. This latest one is all about Gameplay. Initially revealed via Twitch by employee & content creator, StaxxMontana, where some of the new gameplay features, including the New Layup System, Defensive Body Collisions, were shown.
The gameplay reveal is now available on YouTube, with more details on the NBA 2K website.
The Big Focus today was all the new things they have added this year, from Green or Miss, Signature Go-To Post moves, and more.
Defense has been majorly revamped this year with New Body Collisions added, which means NBA 2K26 uses system-driven technology to generate player-to-player collisions that are more reliable compared to previously scripted motion-captured animations. Coupled with new dynamic motion, this change improves the freedom of movement for both the dribbler and on-ball defender.
Also new is Rebound Feedback, a green meter that will flash beneath your player’s feet to indicate a well-timed rebound attempt. The ideal time to jump for a rebound is just before the ball makes its final bounce off the rim, and higher rebounding attribute ratings will make it easier to nail your timing. Excellent timing can significantly boost your chances of securing the board.
Personally, I am looking forward to the new features added to Defense. These new features perk my ears up, especially as a Big Man. So having any new features that will help me on defense is always a nice addition. Main one, though, is New Body Collisions; Gone are the same animations that are predetermined.
This year, 2K is finally adding in Green or Miss Shot Timing. This will be universal in NBA 2K26, so that each mode has an even playing field. This means on higher difficulties, including most competitive multiplayer modes, only excellent timing “greened” shots will go in; however, shot timing windows scale by difficulty and will be less forgiving in competitive modes like Proving Grounds and Pro-Am, but more forgiving in team-control modes like MyTEAM where you have to adapt to different shot animations.
Also new Custom Layups; In the past, your single signature layup package determined all of your layup types. But in NBA 2K26, you can mix and match layup styles to draw inspiration from signature packages from around the league. These advanced layup types consist of:
- Normal and Reverse Layups
- Floaters
- Quick Scoops
- Euro Steps
- Hop Steps
- Spins
Wreak havoc on the competition by utilizing Steph’s graceful layups, James Harden’s shifty euro-steps, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s elusive hop-steps, and Nikola Jokic’s nimble spin moves to create a dominant custom package. Explore the bevy of post-move and layup options when customizing your MyPLAYER and editing players in rosters.
All these features are something that I have felt were sorely missed in the series, for years now. The layup system lets you pick the animations you want to use, an amazing introduction to something I feel will be utilised to its maximum potential by some players. The Green or miss feature, however, I ain’t a massive fan of, I get it. Yet it feels it will benefit players who play the game as a full-time job. Though casuals will definitely see the repercussions of this.
As the weeks go on, we will start to see more and more of them having a road map that leads all the way to the Early Access release date on August 29th, 2025. The Official Roadmap can be found here: Roadmap | NBA 2K26
There is so much more I could have spoken about today, so for even more gameplay details, you should check out the NBA 2K26: Gameplay Courtside Report
