Before the launch of everyone’s favorite basketball video game, Boardroom connected with a reigning champ and an All-Star to put NBA 2K26 through its paces.
Since its launch in 1999, NBA 2K has been the go-to basketball video game on the market. And not just for fans, but for players, too. Whether on long road trips or chilling on a day off, 2K has become as much a staple in the locker room as sneakers and play calls. So, when we wanted to preview the upcoming NBA 2K26 and all its new features, of course, we had to tap two of the most dynamic players in the league today: 2024 NBA Rookie of the Year, Paolo Banchero, and 2025 NBA champion Chet Holmgren.
This year’s edition comes with a groundbreaking twist: for the first time, MyTeam lets you build rosters featuring both NBA and WNBA stars. The feature opens up a new lane for creativity, strategy, and what-if scenarios that basketball fans have been dreaming about. Want to see A’ja Wilson running pick-and-rolls with Stephen Curry? Or Breanna Stewart sharing the floor with LeBron James? 2K26 makes it possible — and Banchero and Holmgren were among the first to test-drive it.
True to form, the two rising stars didn’t just sit back and explore the menus. They went head-to-head, controllers in hand, with bragging rights on the line. Holmgren brought the length and defensive instincts that have made him one of the league’s most intriguing bigs. Banchero countered with the same confidence and shot creation that made him Rookie of the Year. The result? Let’s just say the scoreboard didn’t flatter Chet. Paolo not only took the win — he ran it up, sprinkling in a little good-natured trash talk along the way.
From friendly rivalry to major innovations in gameplay, this first look at NBA 2K26 brings together everything fans love about the legendary franchise. Here’s how it went down when Banchero and Holmgren picked up the sticks.
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