If we’re being fair, NBA 2K26 has always stuck out as being one of the better sports games on the market when it comes to pure graphics. Though it’s not always perfect, everything from player models, the court, and the real-time action has mostly looked good and crisp, and has for years. But in recent years, it’d be a lie to say that the in-game presentation hasn’t lacked a bit. But that seems to be changing this year, as 2K has announced that the soon-to-be-released NBA 2K26 will be receiving a massive overhaul when it comes to presentation and making the action feel more akin to what you see on real-life NBA broadcasts or in arenas.
But what exactly will these presentation improvements entail? Here are the biggest takeaways from NBA 2K26‘s Courtside Report on in-game presentation.
Big Moments Are Commemorated In-Game
For years, it has always felt like big moments are kind of glossed over in sports games. Monumental accomplishments such as winning a championship or an award have often been reduced to a one-off cutscene, or worse, a simple in-game menu telling you who won MVP last season. This is something that NBA 2K26 is looking to directly address.
One of the more exciting things I noticed when browsing through the Courtside Report was the dynamic championship banners. No longer will winning an NBA Championship be limited to enjoying a quick cutscene — you’ll now have something to hang in the rafters. It might sound small, but to MyNBA mode players who are constantly looking for things that make them feel like they’re creating their own NBA universe, this should be a big change.
But dynamic banners aren’t the only change in this regard. NBA 2K26 will also have award ceremonies for players who win any of the following 7 awards in the game: MVP, Rookie of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Sixth Man of the Year, Most Improved Player, Clutch Players of the Year, and Coach of the Year.
Should any of the players on your team win any of the awards listed above, they’ll be presented with them in the first home game after being named as the winner. And if a player wins more than one award, that will be shown as well.
Again, it sounds small, but stuff like this goes a long way to maintaining immersion and adding weight to what should be considered amazing achievements.
The NBA Cup Is Getting Its Own Graphics Package
The NBA Cup — a recent addition to the league’s calendar — is now fully integrated into NBA 2K26 with a level of presentation polish that is supposed to be worthy of the occasion. From group stages to the knockout rounds, every Cup game is meant to feel distinct thanks to custom overlays, branded highlight reels, and unique broadcast packages.
Before each Cup matchup, you’ll see specifically produced intros featuring NBA Cup theme music and visual branding that sets it apart from your typical regular season game. During the action, dynamic overlays promise to keep you updated on group standings, point differentials, and advancement scenarios, mirroring how real-life tournaments track progress.
Now, the NBA Cup is a bit controversial in real life amongst NBA fans, but as a soccer fan, I’ve kinda enjoyed it. And I’m glad to see the tournament get some love in terms of presentation.
Stadium Atmosphere Has Been Improved
None of the fancy bells and whistles when it comes to presentation is worth anything if the actual atmosphere is lacking. But 2K seems dedicated to making sure every team has its own distinct feel in NBA 2K26.
Every arena has been recreated, from unique lighting setups to team-specific pregame rituals such as pyrotechnics and light shows. Crowds have their own intricacies as well, such as the Los Angeles Clippers fans having the famous “Wall” at the Intuit Dome, which has statistically proven to have provided the team with a legitimate home-court advantage.
2K has also created double the amount of unique character models, meaning crowds should look more varied than ever before. On top of that, they wave rally towels, foam fingers, and some stadiums will even have them adorn LED wristbands for special in-game presentations. Additionally, mascots perform during breaks, and players even argue with referees during timeouts now.
Overall, these seem like promising changes.
