Here’s How to Dunk in "NBA 2K19" (Because You Came to Play)

You’ll believe you can fly.

So, you’ve copped NBA 2K19 and read our article on how to shoot successfully.

But you didn’t buy the latest 2K to work on your fundamentals. You bought 2K to son your rivals as emphatically as humanly possible, posterising anyone who dares to guard their own nets.

Us too.

Let us lend a hand.

How Do I Shoot, Again?

The first thing you need to know, obviously, is which buttons actually direct the ball towards the basket. (And, again, we really can’t emphasise enough that you should know the basics of shooting before attempting dunks; we take you through it right here.)

Ultimately, to shoot, you need to hold and release the Square button on PS4 or X button on Xbox One, or pull back and release the right thumbstick.

However, to dunk, it’s not simply a matter of mashing those buttons or yanking that thumbstick.

Alright, How Do I Dunk, Specifically?

There are at least three kinds of basic dunk in NBA 2K19, and each requires you to sprint towards the basket by pressing R2 on the PS4 or RT on Xbox One. (If you earn enough VC, you’ll eventually be able to expand your Dunk Package in the MyPLAYER Lab.) You can see how to pull each dunk off in the game’s controller settings, but hey, you’re already here, so let us lay them out for you.

Two-Hand Dunk: R2/RT + move and hold up the right thumbstick while driving.

Flashy Dunk: R2/RT + move and hold down the right thumbstick while driving.

Dominant or Off-Hand Dunk: R2/RT + move and hold the right thumbstick left or right (the direction determines your dunking hand).

(In theory, you can also dunk with the Square or X button, rather than the thumbstick, but it adds a layer of difficulty that’s just not worth the effort.)

Any Further Tips?

Yes!

The key to pulling off a glass-shattering dunk is to drive towards the basket. That’s why the instructions above all include the direction to 'move' and to only attempt a dunk while sprinting. You’ll need to be in motion—and have a mostly clear path through the paint—to pull off the defining basketball play. Attempt to dunk too early, or while the key is too congested, and your player will attempt a regular shot and the cursed 'Shot Meter' will appear. But if you time your dunk correctly, you’ll get some serious air.

Or, in the case of these actual in-game photos, you will send your opponents into a reality-shifting vortex that mangles their actual physical composition.

Here’s How to Dunk in "NBA 2K19" (Because You Came to Play)