Wave One – 2000s Legends arrives today as NBA The Run's first seasonal update since launch in June. The free update adds five historic NBA stars, two new gameplay cameras, Championship Belts, licensed music, Practice Mode, Custom Match, new courts, dunks, taunts, alternate jerseys, and various gameplay improvements requested by the community.

NBA The Run combines 3v3 streetball with a roster spanning today's NBA stars, top rookies, rookie variants of select players, and Street Legends. Players compete in Knockout Tournaments, taking a squad of three through a series of quick must-win games with different rulesets and win conditions on the way to the Finals.

Five Legends with Two Unlock Options

Allen Iverson, Kevin Garnett, Vince Carter, Tracy McGrady, and Dirk Nowitzki join the roster, each bringing their Hall of Fame skillsets and signature moves to legendary courts around the world. Each legend includes an alternate jersey.

Players can unlock each legend individually for 5,000 Cred, the game's in-game currency earned through progression. All five legends are also available as DLC for $9.99 in the Microsoft Store.

New Camera Perspectives

Wave One introduces Drive Cam and Drive Flip Cam, two new camera options designed to provide better court visibility and easier identification of passing lanes. Drive Cam places the camera behind your player looking toward the basket you're attacking, while Drive Flip Cam switches between your offensive and defensive ends of the court. The new perspectives help with reading passing lanes, positioning on defense, and judging offensive spacing.

Licensed Music with Run Anthems

Run Anthems features 11 curated licensed tracks from artists associated with locations where courts appear in the game—New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, and Los Angeles. The playlist was designed to feel authentic to the 2000s and the culture of those cities.

The collection was vetted with Bobbito Garcia, NBA The Run's announcer and creator of the legendary underground hip-hop radio show “The Stretch Armstrong and Bobbito Show.” Players can choose between licensed music, the original score, or a blend of both in Settings.

Championship Belts and New Play Modes

Championship Belts give players long-term goals by earning belts for individual player victories in both Knockout Squads and Knockout Solos modes. Belt counts are visible in the Main Menu and comparable among friends.

Practice Mode allows players to compete against the CPU on any court and ruleset, facilitating learning and experimentation with different lineups. Custom Matches enable up to five friends to play private games online in either Knockout Solos or Knockout Squads. Neither mode affects progression or awards Cred, providing a low-pressure environment to test new strategies.

Gameplay and Customization Additions

Wave One adds new driving layups, standing dunks, alley-oops, and advanced dunk animations alongside gameplay tuning based on community feedback—notably a significant reduction in goaltending, a key community concern.

Two new courts join the rotation: Dyckman (Day and Tournament versions) and Spring Garden Elementary. Additional cosmetic options include new taunts, advanced dunks, banners, badges, and alternate jerseys.

Community-Driven Development

Player feedback has shaped NBA The Run's priorities since launch. The development team will continue incorporating community input as the game evolves. A Campaign mode is currently targeted for Spring 2027, offering a new way to experience the world of NBA The Run.