When Will “NBA 2K22” Be Released? Here's What We Know

All the tea on release date, cover players and bug fixes.

As the end of the NBA season draws closer, speculation is growing about the release of NBA 2K22.

With NBA 2K21 being out for almost a year and receiving below par reviews, it’s important for 2K Games to get NBA 2K22 right.

From bugs fixes and cover player to the release date, here is everything we know so far about NBA 2K22.

When will NBA 2K22 be released?

The most important question: when can we get our hands on NBA 2K22?

Although there has been no official release date announced yet, there are a few clues here and there pointing to potential dates. 

2K Games have made a habit of releasing an NBA 2K game in the final quarter of the year, with the six previous games all being released in September.

What started as a mid-to-late September launch, the release date for the last two games had been brought forward to the first Friday in September.

It's safe to say by September 2021 you'll be playing some NBA 2K22.

When will we get the first trailer?

Just like the release date, we can take a stab at when the first trailer for NBA 2K22 will drop.

June is sporting games' biggest month, with EA Sports usually announcing their latest additions to the FIFA and Madden series, as well as Konami revealing their next PES game.

Usually, NBA 2K is a part of the sports gaming buffet with their last three games all being revealed in June, so expect that to continue.

YouTube will be where the first announcement trailer drops so keep an eye out for it in the first week of June.

Which player will be on the cover?

Predicting a cover player for NBA 2K is a lot harder than a FIFA game, but there are some definite contenders.

2K have shied away from repeating players year after year, but we can never rule out the king, LeBron James. He’s one of the biggest stars in the game and with his upcoming Space Jam movie he is definitely a front runner.

The hot form of Dallas Mavericks point guard Luka Doncic sees him as a contender for the coveted slot, with Washington Wizards’ Bradley Beal and Atlanta Hawks’ Trae Young also in the mix.

NBA 2K games have a record of releasing several editions and covers, so expect a few of the above players to get picked.

Who’s the best player?

It doesn’t take a genius to work out that LeBron James will continue to be the highest rated player in NBA 2K22.

His rating last year was 97 overall and we can’t see that changing. Behind him sit Kevin Durant and Giannis Antetokounmpo both on 96 overall. We can’t see that holy trinity being disrupted anytime soon.

A look through 2Kratings.com (what a site btw) will tell you all you need to know about who the best rated players in last year’s game are. 

What should they fix?

NBA 2K21 wasn’t 2K Games’ best addition to the basketball series, scoring an average of 6/10 from reviews.

The biggest change that needs to be made is microtransactions. Players either have the choice of grinding a player in Story Mode to improve or just paying to immediately be better.

Seriously, why?

Fans also have been disappointed with the inability to make shots, the new shot meter and the lack of change to the MyCareer mode.

Fingers crossed 2K change at least some of these.

NBA 2K21 is now available on PS4 and Xbox One. (Affiliate disclosure: Student Edge may earn a commission if you click that link and buy a product from our partner's page.)

Header Image: 2K Games