NBA The Run Coming in 2026
Earlier this year, Play by Play Studios – a studio comprised of former EA developers – announced The Run: Got Next, a spiritual successor to the NBA Street series. Since then, Play by Play Studios has been able to acquire the NBA license. As such, the game will now be titled NBA The Run, and is slated for release on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S in 2026.
The game will still feature 3v3 action, with a more casual, arcade-style approach to virtual basketball. The original characters now star alongside NBA players in a series of Knockout Tournaments staged at iconic street courts around the world. Tournament rounds last 2-5 minutes, and feature randomised rules such as “Dunk Fest” and “Speed Round”. As was the original plan with The Run: Got Next, NBA The Run is strictly an online game, though the developers are apparently leaving the door open for local and head-to-head play. New York DJ Bob “Bobbito” Garcia, the announcer for NBA Street Vol. 2, will be calling the action.
In a post over on the PlayStation Blog, Creative Director Michael Young describes NBA The Run as skill-based, equally fun on offense and defense, and a nonstop highlight reel. He touts the fluidity of the controls, rollback netcode for a smooth online experience, and the goal of creating a game that’s easy to pick up but rewarding to master. Young also describes it as “a game with spirit, a game with soul”, and refers to the characters having stories that will create a “living basketball universe”.
Although an online game may not be what most of us were hoping for, with EA backing out of developing a college basketball title, it’s good to know that other alternatives to NBA 2K are in the pipeline. Check out the teaser trailer below, as well as an overview of the features from the Steam listing. Dee and I will naturally discuss this development on an upcoming episode of the NLSC Podcast, but in the meantime, please share your thoughts in the comments, and join in the discussion here in the Forum!
NBA The Run Features Overview
We’re taking it back to the streets. NBA THE RUN is a fast-paced, online 3v3 street basketball game, played above-the-rim and packed with posterizing moments, ankle-breaking tricks and a unique, signature style. Take your favorite NBA stars to iconic streetball courts around the world and stack wins, earn cred and become the GOAT of THE RUN.
DON’T GET KNOCKED OUT
Play Solos or Squads, the choice is yours. Face off against the best of the best in online multiplayer Knockout Tournaments spanning the globe on legendary streetball courts from Venice Beach, to The Tenement in the Philippines, and more. Lock in, win, advance, repeat.
BECOME THE GOAT
Gameplay is fast, fluid and responsive. Powered by true rollback netcode, your moves on the sticks will sync instantaneously – cross up an aggressive defender, switch to a layup mid-dunk to avoid a block, or throw up a lob out of a spin move for a game winning alley-oop.
DEFENSE WINS CHIPS
It’s not only about the high flying dunks, stepback logo 3s and ankle breakers – in NBA THE RUN, defense is just as fun, and powerful, as offense. Thunderous blocks, diving for loose balls, huge steals, and all-out physicality on D can lead to a W and will get you just as hyped.
STREETBALL WITH STYLE
Everything about NBA THE RUN is handcrafted and stylized to deliver a completely unique look and feel. Authentic to the sport of basketball and visually in a lane of its own – there isn’t another basketball game on the market that looks, feels or plays like NBA THE RUN.
Teaser Trailer
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