Considered by many to be the ultimate play, nothing can show how in sync you and your team are in NBA 2K26 like a perfect Alley-Oop, also guaranteed to send both the passer and the scorer to the highlight reel.
But unlike in previous games, performing the play in 2K26 demands more execution and quick thinking, especially when looking to finish it. Here’s how to perform all types of alley-oops in NBA 2K26.
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How To Throw And Call For An Alley Oop In NBA 2K26
When in possession of the ball, you can throw alley-oops in NBA 2K26 by double-tapping △/Y. Doing so when in control of a whole team then prompts the closest player to the rim to make the run and attempt to score. To finish the play in this case, just press the input on the screen at the right time.
Keep in mind that, unlike in previous 2K titles, instead of having to press △/Y to score from the play, you will be given a random input between your controller’s four main buttons. In my case, though, it always seems to be Square. When not carrying the ball in MyCareer, you can call for an alley-oop by also double-tapping △/Y, this time while making a beeline toward the basket.
NBA 2K26 Alley-Oop Tips
No matter the mode, the easiest way to set up a successful Alley-Opp can be done by first either calling for or setting a pick. Here’s a breakthrough of the best Alley-Opp strategy when playing in both MyTeam and MyCarrer:
- Call for a pick from either your center or PF before cutting to the side
- Wait for your player to get into position or make a run for the basket
- Lob the ball to them and finish the play
You can learn how to call for screens, and more importantly, guarantee the right players will answer by checking out our How to Set and Call For Screens In NBA 2K26 guide.
How To Perform a Self Alley Oop In NBA 2K26
For those who prefer to do things themselves or who are taking the court with an unknown team or duo in The City, you can throw a self alley-oop pass and score in NBA 2K26 by doing the following:
- Tap Square + △ / X + Y while moving toward the basket to lob the ball forward. To boost your chances, we recommend lobbing the ball before entering the paint or from the side logos.
- Wait for your player to jump and then press the right input to score. Like the usual variant, the inputs needed to score from an Alley-oop To Self will be randomized, so make sure to stay put to avoid wasting a highlight via a lack of attention.
To help you boost your chances of scoring and find the right players for the job, make sure to also check out The 15 Best Power Forwards In NBA 2K26.
