NBA 2K25: Ultimate PS4 & PS5 Controls Guide

Fed up with getting dominated on the basketball court? Sick of being mocked in your online games? Now’s the time to boost your skills and become the top dog in basketball. Our NBA 2K25 PlayStation 4 & 5 controls guide is your ace in the hole, packed with all the tricks you need to know.

Here’s a fast rundown of what each button does:

Passing Controls

Normal Pass (X): Basic throw to a free teammate or to get out of tight spots.

Bounce Pass (O): Low throw for cramped spaces or heavy traffic.

Lob Pass (Triangle): High throw that goes over defenders.

Skip Pass (Hold X): Fast throw across the court.

Fake Pass (Triangle + O): Tricky throw to fool the defense.

Jump Pass (Square + X): Dangerous throw while in the air.

Icon Pass (Press R1 + Icon Button): Pick a specific teammate to throw to.

Flashy Pass (Double Tap O): Showy throw to add some style.

Alley-oop (Double Tap Triangle): Throw the ball high to a teammate who dunks it.

Alley-oop to Self (Double Tap Triangle + LS towards hoop): Toss the ball up then catch and dunk it yourself.

Lead to Basket Pass (Hold Triangle): Throw the ball to a teammate running towards the hoop.

Handoff Pass (Hold O): Give the ball to a teammate who’s on the move.

Touch Pass (Press X before the receiver gets the ball): Pass the ball to another player.

Pro Stick Pass (Hold R1 + Move RS): Use advanced techniques to control your pass.

Give and Go (Hold X): Pass the ball, run to the hoop, and get the ball back.

Rolling Inbound (Triangle during baseline inbounds): Special pass to start play.

Dribbling Controls

Signature Size-up (Hold RS up): The player’s go-to dribble move.

Signature Park Size-up (Tap L2): Adds street basketball flavor.

In and Out (Move RS right then release): Makes room to shoot or drive.

Hesitation (Move RS right then release): Throws off the defender with a brief stop.

Hesitation Escape (Hold RS right): Gets past the defender using a hesitation trick.

Crossover (Move RS up left then release): Switches direction fast.

Crossover Escape (Hold RS up left): Breaks free from close defense.

Between Legs Cross (Move RS left then release): This dribble move adds flair to your game.

Behind the Back (Move RS down left then release): This move helps you dodge defenders.

Momentum Behind the Back (R2 + Move RS down left then release): This technique uses your speed to perform a behind-the-back move.

Stepback (Move RS down then release): This move creates space for a jump shot.

Momentum Stepback (R2 + Move RS down then release): This allows you to step back while in motion.

Spin (Rotate RS clockwise then release): This move lets you twirl past your defender.

Hard Stop / Stutter (Tap L2): This technique allows you to change your speed.

Hold Off Defenders (Hold L2): Block the ball from defenders.

Double Throws & Switchbacks (Flick Pro Stick in direction then back): High-level dribbling.

Shooting Controls

Jump Shot (Hold and release Square or RS up): Basic shot that needs timing.

Bank Shot (Hold Square or RS towards hoop then release): Bounce the ball off the backboard.

Free Throw (Hold and release Square or RS): Shoot free throws with precision.

2-PT/3-PT Shooting (Hold Circle): Score from inside or outside the three-point line.

Dunk (Hold R2 + Square or RS towards hoop): Slam the ball through the hoop.

Layup (Move and hold RS away from hoop): Shoot from close to the basket.

Runner/Floater (Move and hold RS away from hoop while driving): Lob the ball over defenders.

Hop Gather (Tap Square or move RS left/right then release): Quick shot or drive to the basket.

Euro Step Layup (Double Tap Square while holding LS towards hoop): Smooth layup move to fool defenders.

Cradle Layup (Double Tap Square while holding LS away from hoop): Shield ball during layup attempt.

2-Hand Dunk (R2 + Hold RS up): Powerful slam with both hands.

Flashy Dunk (R2 + Hold RS down): Show-off slam for the crowd.

Dominant or Off-Hand Dunk (R2 + Hold RS left or right): Slam using your preferred hand.

Mid-Air Change Shot (Square then Square again while in the air): Switch your shot while airborne.

Pump Fake (Start a jump shot then let go of Square): Trick the defender into jumping.

Step Through (Pump fake then press Square again): Use a fake to score.

Defense Controls

Take Charge (Hold O): Pull a charge to get the ball back.

Block/Rebound (Triangle): Stop shots or catch rebounds.

Steal (Square): Try to take the ball.

Intense-D (Hold L2): Play close defense on your opponent.

Crowd Dribbler (Hold L2 + R2): Put pressure on the player with the ball.

Fast Shuffle (Hold L2 + R2 then move LS): Move on defense.

Hands Up Defense (Move and hold RS): Challenge shots without fouling.

Shot Contest (Move RS up then release): Throw off the shooter’s aim.

Swat Block (Hold R2 + press Triangle): Bold block try.

Take Charge/Flop (Double Tap O): Draw a foul or try to fool the ref.

Onball Steal (Press Square near dribbler): Go for the ball.

Bump (Hold L2 near dribbler): Mess up the dribbler’s flow.

Fernando Diaz

Fernando is doing what he always did, sharing his honest opinions about games whenever he can. The difference is now he is writing and not talking about it.
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