NBA THE RUN packs nearly 40 players into its arcade streetball roster, and while that variety is great, it also means a lot of noise to cut through before you find a lineup that actually wins. The good news is that the stat system makes the best options pretty clear once you know what to look for. Zone Abilities and maxed-out stat categories separate the elite picks from the filler, and a strong duo pairing can make or break your tournament run.
Below are the 5 best players in NBA The Run right now, along with the ideal partner to run alongside each of them. Whether you prefer paint dominance, perimeter shooting, or turning defense into fast-break points, there's a top-tier option here for your playstyle. For a broader look at the full roster and additional matchup breakdowns, check out the NBA THE RUN strategy guides.
Player select in NBA The Run
Who are the best players in NBA The Run?
The short answer: Victor Wembanyama, Stephen Curry, Anthony Davis, Anthony Edwards, and Tyrese Maxey. Each of these players has multiple maxed-out stat categories and a Zone Ability that fits competitive tournament play. The sections below break down exactly why each one belongs at the top.
Victor Wembanyama: the best player in the game
Victor Wembanyama sits at the top of the entire roster without much debate. His block stat is the best in the game, and his 2s, dunks, guard, rebound, and aura stats are all maxed out. That's six elite categories on a single player, which is hard to match anywhere else on the roster.
The standard approach is to keep Wemby around the paint on both ends. On offense, he's a threat at the rim and can stretch out to the perimeter when defenses load up inside. On defense, parking him under the basket and using his height to contest shots is extremely effective, since stealing and blocking are already easy to pull off in NBA The Run's current state.
Best duo: Ja Morant. Wemby's game is built around the paint, so pairing him with a fast, perimeter-oriented facilitator makes the combination click. Morant's speed creates separation on offense, opens up passing lanes to Wemby in the post, and handles perimeter defense so Wemby can stay focused near the basket.
Wemby dominates the paint
Stephen Curry: the perimeter nightmare
Stephen Curry has maxed-out 2s and 3s stats, plus maxed handles, passes, stamina, and aura. His defensive numbers are a weak point, but that's a trade-off worth making given how much damage he does on the offensive end.
The play pattern with Curry is simple: use his high stamina to stay in constant motion, get open off screens or cuts, and launch threes from anywhere on the court. Defenses in NBA The Run will start doubling him, which is actually what you want since it opens up his partner for easier looks.
Best duo: Jayson Tatum. Tatum is one of the more balanced players on the roster with no obvious weak categories, and his passing stat is strong enough to feed Curry in rhythm. Tatum's Zone Ability boosts passing, which stacks well with Curry's ability that enhances shooting. The two complement each other without overlapping.
Anthony Davis: the versatile big
Anthony Davis might not be the first name that comes to mind when building a tournament roster, but his stat page tells a different story. AD has six maxed-out stats and ranks right next to Wembanyama as one of the best defensive bigs in the game. His passing stat is also strong, which makes him useful anywhere on the court rather than just down low.
Davis can play inside or stretch to the perimeter on offense depending on what your lineup needs. He won't hit every three-pointer, but he's capable enough from the outside to keep defenses honest, and that flexibility is genuinely valuable in 3v3 formats.
Best duo: Jalen Brunson. With Davis moving between the paint and the perimeter, you need a player who can roam the outside and strike when the moment opens up. Brunson is one of the best shooters in the game and brings strong handling and passing to go with it. He can work off Davis or feed him depending on the possession.
AD stretches the floor
Anthony Edwards: the offensive engine
Anthony Edwards has eight maxed-out stats, with four of them in the offensive section. That's the highest count on this entire list. His power, speed, and stamina are all elite, which means he can dominate as a dunking threat or a perimeter scorer depending on the matchup.
The flexibility is what makes Edwards so dangerous. You're not locked into one approach with him. If the defense is sagging off, pull up from the perimeter. If they're closing out hard, blow past them for a dunk. Eight maxed stats give you options that most other players simply don't have.
Best duo: Nikola Jokic. Rather than pairing Edwards with another speed-focused player, Jokic provides a different dimension. His offensive stats are excellent and his rebounding cleans up anything Edwards misses at the rim. Jokic can also operate as a sharpshooter when Edwards draws the defense, making the pairing hard to stop in multiple ways.
Tyrese Maxey: the defensive disruptor
Tyrese Maxey is the biggest surprise on this list. His defensive capabilities are elite, and in NBA The Run's current state where steals and blocks are relatively easy to execute, having a player who excels at both while also being dangerous on offense is a real competitive advantage.
Maxey's speed lets him push the pace after turnovers and get to the rim before defenses reset. His shooting stats are strong enough to make him a perimeter threat as well, so he's not just a one-dimensional pest. He might be the best player in the game at converting defense directly into scoring opportunities.
Best duo: Giannis Antetokounmpo. Pairing Maxey with Giannis gives you two players who can defend and attack at the same time. Giannis doesn't match Maxey's speed, but he provides a taller presence in the post that benefits from Maxey's passing stats, and his rebounding covers any misses that come from Maxey's aggressive style.
Maxey turns defense to offense
How do the top 5 compare at a glance?
What modes can you use these players in?
NBA The Run supports two main competitive formats: Knockout Squads, where you control one of three players in a 3v3 match, and Knockout Solos, where you control all three players on your team. The best player picks above hold up in both modes, but the duo pairings become especially important in Knockout Squads where coordination between real players matters.
The game is available on PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PS5 with cross-play enabled, so you're always playing against a full pool of opponents regardless of platform.
For a deeper breakdown of which players fit specific playstyles and tournament formats, the NBA The Run best players guide covers tier rankings and combo strategies in more detail. If you're looking to explore more sports games with competitive depth, there's plenty worth checking out beyond the court.