A Fresh Take on Basketball Gaming
Play by Play Studios has officially unveiled NBA The Run, a brand-new 3v3 street basketball experience coming to PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S in 2026. The studio, formed by former EA Sports developers, promises an energetic return to arcade-inspired hoops, one that blends real NBA stars, fictional legends, and fast-paced street action.
With both official NBA and NBPA licenses secured, NBA The Run will feature some of the league’s biggest names, including Giannis Antetokounmpo, Stephen Curry, Luka Doncic, LaMelo Ball, Anthony Edwards, and rising star Cooper Flagg. Players can also expect a host of fictional athletes, “Street Legends”, who bring unique skills and personalities to the courts.
Fast, Stylish, and Built for Everyone
Creative Director Michael Young says NBA The Run aims to revive the pure joy of arcade sports games, the kind where fun and feel come first.
“I grew up on arcade sports games that were simple, fun, and endlessly replayable,” Young shared. “They weren’t about realism; they were about feel. That heartbeat of accessible, joyful sports gaming has guided me my entire career.”
Instead of simulating realism, The Run focuses on energy, creativity, and connection. Players can expect quick, high-intensity matches that last just a few minutes, filled with tricks, showboating, and highlight-reel moments.
Image Credit: Play by Play Studios
Every move, from double alley-oops and step-back threes to posterising dunks, is brought to life with hand-keyed animations and smooth, responsive controls.
Defense That’s Just as Fun
In NBA The Run, defense isn’t just about waiting for a turnover. It’s an adrenaline rush of timing and anticipation. Players can dive for loose balls, go for big blocks, or pull off lightning-fast steals. Every action feels meaningful, and every play could be the difference between victory and elimination.
The game’s bracket-style Knockout Tournaments are the core of the experience. You can play solo, controlling your entire team, or team up with friends where each player controls one teammate. Every round introduces Randomised Rules, from Dunkfest to Speed Round, keeping gameplay unpredictable and addictive. Win and advance, lose and still earn rewards to upgrade your next run.
Image Credit: Play by Play Studios
A Global Streetball Tour
NBA The Run takes players across iconic street courts, from the sun-soaked Venice Beach to the tight-knit energy of The Tenement. Each location celebrates the culture, music, and community that make basketball a worldwide language.
Adding extra flavour to the mix, the legendary Bobbito Garcia serves as the in-game announcer, bringing his signature enthusiasm and streetball authenticity to every match.
Smooth Online Play and Cross-Platform Action
NBA The Run uses rollback netcode, a technology popular in fighting games that ensures smooth online play even across different regions and pings. Combined with full cross-play between PC, PlayStation, and Xbox, everyone can hoop together seamlessly, no matter the platform.
The Next Evolution of Arcade Hoops
Play by Play Studios isn’t trying to recreate the past, they’re reinventing it. NBA The Run takes the soul of classic arcade basketball and reimagines it for a new generation of players who crave immediacy, style, and connection.
“At its heart, NBA The Run is about connection through competition,” says Young. “It’s fast-to-fun gameplay and unforgettable moments. This is basketball — reimagined for every hoops fan across the world.”
Launching in 2026, NBA The Run promises to bring back that couch-play spirit, where every match feels fresh, fast, and full of highlights.
See you on the courts.