NBA 2K23: Top 5 Tips & Tricks to Get Wins ASAP!

by Mike Alexander / NBA 2K23, Articles, Lists, Slider Posts / 18 Jun 2022

If there is anything as sure to occur as another NBA season, it’s that 2K’s yearly NBA game will be released. Developed by Visual Concepts, NBA 2K23 is the latest entry to the franchise, and it brings with it a host of improvements in both gameplay and game modes.

Due to the NBA 2K games’ dedication to realism, getting deeply invested in the games might be a little difficult for some players. Especially online, where the competition is as fierce as a real-life NBA game. However, all hope is not lost. If you’re a new player looking to climb the ranks of the NBA 2K23 online leaderboards and dominate the single-player campaign, then you will be well served by the tips & tricks in this list. You don’t have to be a professional basketball player to be a star, all you have to do is take these tips to heart.

Quick Switching

In any game of NBA 2K23, whether it’s single-player or online, things won’t always go your way. Even if you maintain a healthy lead in points for most of the game, you could find yourself in a situation where the player you’re controlling is in a bad matchup, making things considerably more difficult for you.

If you end up facing down a defender your player is clearly not equipped to handle, you can use NBA 2K23’s Quick Switch mechanic. All you have to do is hold the A button on Xbox or the X button on PlayStation to switch assignments with the defender closest to you. This will free you up to take a shot at a goal from wherever you are!

Never Give Up, Go for the Putback

When a teammate makes a shot at the basket, their odds of actually sinking it will vary drastically depending on who shot it and where they are. But, if you’re able to get to the basket in time, you can pull off what is called a putback: taking another shot after a previous shot is missed.

When the balls bounce off of the backboard or jump out of the rim, if you’re within range and you press the Square or the X button depending on your console of choice, your player will perform a putback and often recover those missed points. The odds of success for a putback are well over 90%.

Set Up a Loadout of Plays

Freestyling your way through NBA 2K23 is very fun, no one will argue that. However, it will only get you so far. As you climb through the ranks and face down tougher, more determined teams, it will become important for you to have a set of plays that you can rely on when things get tough.

Using plays makes sure your players don’t get in each other’s way, and that everyone knows exactly where they should be positioned. Keeping that leg up on the other team is sometimes the only way for you to pull out that W when the going gets tough.

Quick Stopping

When you can’t shake a defender and need to pop off shots as quickly as you can, you’ll probably end up shooting a few leaners. These happen when you attempt to shoot before you come to a complete stop, and it throws off the ball’s power and trajectory significantly.

In these situations, you should make use of the Quick Stop. It’s a slightly tricky process that will need some practice, but it’s worth learning. While moving with the turbo button held down, you’re going to want to tap the left trigger and let go of the left analog stick completely. This will bring the player to a full stop and set you up for a perfect shot.

Mix Up Your Defense

In past NBA 2K games, you could get away with simply jumping around to smack shots out of the air before they made it to the basket. In NBA 2K23, players will be rewarded and more effective if they choose to vary up their defense instead of jumping around like they’re in a bounce house.

You can do this by getting in the face of whoever is getting ready to take a shot, and using the different moves assigned to the right analog stick. You can contest a shot by holding the right stick up to keep your player’s hands up and ready, or by flicking the same stick up in a quick motion to have your player rush the shooter with their hands up.

NBA 2K23: 6 Tips to Improve Your Shooting Skills

Mike Alexander

Mike has been playing video games since he was able to hold a controller, having been fascinated by Sonic 2 on his mom’s Sega Genesis. That fascination and passion for the art form has grown exponentially nearly 30 years later, and he doesn’t see that fading away anytime soon.
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