NBA 2K26 just dropped patch 1.012 on December 15, and it has genuinely left a chunk of the playerbase feeling lost. The patch notes don’t say much at all, mostly “gameplay stability updates”, a fix for VC totals in recaps, some broad tweaks, and supposedly smoother handling in high-action moments.
No new features, no big balance changes — just enough information to keep you guessing. Ask the community: they’re left frustrated from the lack of communication, as one r/NBA2k user comments:
“Would be nice if they actually specified what they did. “Minor tweaks” like when apps update and say “squashed bugs!” doesn’t tell us anything”
So, here’s a rundown on what’s changed, and what we know so far:
Note: Patch v.1.012 has only been rolled out for current-gen consoles (PS5, Xbox Series). As we know so far, previous-gen consoles did not get an update.
Crossplay & Matchmaking Issues
The update has caused certain crossplay connectivity issues, and it’s not clear if it’s the reason behind these issues. Players report they can’t connect with friends on other platforms. Either the lobbies fail to join, or matchmaking gets stuck searching forever. Reddit r/NBA2k user reports:
“I play on playstation and have people on xbox in my lobbies but I cant invite or join anyone on xbox. This started today and I havs all my crossplay settings on”
Some players whine that long-existing matchmaking issues are getting worse, and report solo Rec queues drop to 1v1s or boot entirely when partying up. These issues existed before for players on different platforms, but they seem to be more rampant after the update.
Refined Gameplay
Not everything’s a blow for the community, though. Players report that the update brought better playability, smoother animations, and tighter on-ball defense. It’s also noticed that body-ups are now better, contracts are slightly better, and overall gameplay is cleaner. Moreover, the dunk meter seems to be going at a reduced speed, with players finding it difficult to adapt quickly.
Dev’s haven’t dropped a hotfix yet; however, past patches tend to show they react quickly to online matchmaking issues. In the meantime, people are suggesting workarounds using the squad finder or hopping into Ante Up queues. You’ll have to make do with those for a while, as you wait out for the official patch notes in the mean time. Again 2K should be really clearer on the changes they’re making with each update, but at least it’s not all bad for players.
