NBA The Run is shaping up to be one of the more interesting entries in sports games this year. Built around 3v3 streetball with real NBA talent and an arcade-first design philosophy, it gives you something most basketball games skip entirely: pure player expression over simulation. The beta gave players their first real look at what the full game delivers, and there is a lot to unpack.
What is NBA The Run?
NBA THE RUN is a 3v3 streetball game that leans hard into arcade basketball. Forget realistic shot meters and defensive rotations. The game is built around flashy moves, player identity, and competitive pickup-style matches. You get four different advanced dunks and taunts, plus a full arsenal of crossovers, Shammgods, and Slip N' Slides. The emphasis is on how you play, not just whether you win.
Every player in the roster comes with their own distinct playstyle, so swapping between stars actually changes how your team feels on the court. That kind of differentiation matters a lot in a 3v3 format where individual skill expression carries more weight than in a full 5v5 game.
3v3 court layout
What game modes are available?
The beta featured two primary modes, and both are worth understanding before you jump in.
Knockout Squads puts you in control of one player on a 3v3 team. You are responsible for your individual performance while your teammates handle the rest. This mode rewards players who can lock in on a single star and master their moveset.
Knockout Solos flips that entirely. Here, you control all three players on your team simultaneously, managing the full 3v3 squad by yourself. The skill ceiling is higher, but so is the satisfaction when you pull off a smooth transition between players mid-possession.
Who are the playable stars in NBA The Run?
The roster confirmed for the beta covers a strong cross-section of current NBA talent and one original character. Here is the full list of playable stars:
- Giannis Antetokounmpo
- Scottie Barnes
- LaMelo Ball
- Jalen Brunson
- Stephen Curry
- Anthony Davis
- Luka Doncic
- Kevin Durant
- Anthony Edwards
- Cooper Flagg
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
- LeBron James
- Damian Lillard
- Donovan Mitchell
- Ja Morant
- Victor Wembanyama
- Street Legend Destiny "DJ" Jackson
That last name stands out. DJ Jackson is a fictional streetball legend, not an NBA player, and her inclusion signals that the full game's roster goes beyond licensed stars. The complete release is confirmed to feature five fictional streetball legends alongside 30+ NBA players.
Full beta star roster
How to pick the right player for your playstyle
With 17 playable options in the beta alone, narrowing down your go-to takes some intentional testing. The best players guide for NBA The Run breaks down the top picks and their strongest combinations in detail, but here is a quick framework to start from.
Big, physical players like Anthony Davis and Victor Wembanyama dominate near the basket and are harder to stop on dunks. Guards like Stephen Curry, LaMelo Ball, and Damian Lillard give you more range and ball-handling variety, which matters a lot when you are running crossovers and Shammgods. Ja Morant and Anthony Edwards sit in the middle, offering athleticism that translates well to advanced dunk animations.
In a 3v3 format, team composition matters. Stacking three guards leaves you undersized. Three bigs limits your ball movement. A balanced mix of one big, one athletic wing, and one guard tends to cover the most ground.
Advanced dunk in action
What does the full game add beyond the beta?
The beta was a timed slice of the game, not the finished product. The full release expands on what the beta offered in a few meaningful ways:
- Run The World Tournament mode, which was not part of the beta
- A roster that grows to 30+ NBA Stars
- Five fictional streetball legends instead of just one
- The same cross-play support across PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam
The cross-play setup is worth highlighting. Whether your crew is split across platforms, you can all run together without friction. That kind of flexibility is increasingly standard in competitive games, and NBA The Run has it from day one.
Cross-play across all platforms
Quick tips to hit the ground running
- Learn your dunk inputs early. Four advanced dunk options means there is depth here beyond a single button press. Knowing when to trigger each one changes how defenders have to guard you.
- Use taunts strategically. They are part of the game's expression system, not just cosmetic. Getting comfortable with the full move vocabulary makes you harder to read.
- Shammgods and Slip N' Slides are momentum tools. These crossover moves are not just for show. Used at the right moment, they create separation that leads directly to open looks or dunk opportunities.
- In Knockout Solos, player switching speed is a skill. The faster you can move between your three players with purpose, the more your opponent has to account for.
For a deeper breakdown of strategies and the strongest roster options, the full NBA The Run guide collection covers everything from beginner fundamentals to advanced tournament play.