NBA THE RUN 2000s Legends Update: New Players Today
NBA THE RUN is getting its biggest post-launch content update yet, and the focus is firmly on some of the most recognizable basketball stars of the 2000s.
The Wave One – 2000s Legends update arrives on September 29, 2026, introducing five legendary NBA players to the game’s streetball lineup: Allen Iverson, Kevin Garnett, Vince Carter, Dirk Nowitzki, and Tracy McGrady.
However, the update is more than just a group of famous names. Alongside the Legends, NBA THE RUN is adding new camera options, a new New York City court, Practice Mode, Custom Matches, new moves, gameplay adjustments, cosmetic content, and a Championship Belt system.
That makes this update important even for players who are not planning to unlock all five Legends immediately.
Here is everything you need to know about the NBA THE RUN 2000s Legends update, including the new players, how unlocking works, free content, gameplay changes, and what is changing when Wave One goes live.
NBA THE RUN 2000s Legends Update Release Date
The NBA THE RUN Wave One – 2000s Legends update releases on September 29, 2026.
According to the developer’s announcement, this is the game’s first seasonal content update and the largest update since NBA THE RUN launched.
The update is available across the game’s current platforms, including PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC through Steam.
One important detail is that the update is not simply a paid DLC release. The broader Wave One update includes a substantial amount of content that is being added for all players. The five 2000s Legends are the headline additions, while new courts, modes, camera options, gameplay changes and other features are part of the wider update.
The developer has also confirmed that the game’s leaderboards reset on September 29, giving competitive players a fresh starting point as the first official seasonal update begins.
Five 2000s Legends Are Joining NBA THE RUN
The main attraction is obviously the five new Legends.
NBA THE RUN is bringing together Allen Iverson, Kevin Garnett, Vince Carter, Dirk Nowitzki, and Tracy McGrady.
Each player has their own gameplay animations and alternate uniform options, meaning they are not simply standard roster additions with a different name attached.
The five players also represent very different styles of basketball, which should make experimenting with different lineups one of the more interesting parts of the update.
Allen Iverson
Allen Iverson brings one of the most recognizable guard styles from the 2000s into NBA THE RUN.
Known for his quickness, ball handling and aggressive scoring ability during his NBA career, Iverson is naturally suited to a game built around one-on-one moves, space creation and fast possessions.
The developer has highlighted signature gameplay animations for the Legends, so Iverson’s addition is about more than nostalgia. Players will be able to use a version of the guard’s style within NBA THE RUN’s 3v3 format.
For players who enjoy creating separation and attacking defenders, Iverson is likely to be one of the most interesting Legends to test first.
Kevin Garnett
Kevin Garnett provides a very different option.
The former Minnesota Timberwolves star was known for his defensive intensity, physical play, rebounding and ability to influence games from multiple areas of the court.
That makes Garnett an interesting addition to a streetball game where defensive pressure and possession control can have a major impact.
His presence also gives players another type of frontcourt option when building a three-player lineup.
Vince Carter
Vince Carter is arguably one of the most natural fits for a streetball-focused basketball game.
Carter became famous for his explosive athleticism and spectacular dunks, and the NBA THE RUN update specifically gives the new Legends stylized gameplay animations.
The developer has also confirmed new dunk animations as part of the update, with animations varying depending on the selected player.
That combination should make Carter particularly interesting for players who enjoy attacking the basket and looking for highlight-style finishes.
Dirk Nowitzki
Dirk Nowitzki brings a completely different offensive profile to the Legends lineup.
The former Dallas Mavericks star was renowned for his shooting ability and scoring from the frontcourt, helping redefine expectations for what a big player could do offensively.
In NBA THE RUN, his addition creates another potential option for players who prefer shooting and spacing rather than relying entirely on drives or physical play.
It also gives the 2000s Legends group a useful contrast to players such as Carter and Iverson.
Tracy McGrady
Tracy McGrady completes the five-player group.
McGrady was one of the most versatile scoring wings of his generation, combining size, shooting, ball handling and athleticism.
That skill set makes him an especially interesting fit for 3v3 basketball, where a player who can attack from multiple areas of the court can provide different options depending on the matchup.
The developer has also highlighted unique gameplay animations for the Legends, so McGrady’s addition is designed to have its own identity rather than simply functioning as another high-rated player.
How to Unlock the 2000s Legends
Players have two confirmed ways to obtain the five new Legends.
The first option is to unlock them using the game’s in-game currency, CRED.
Each Legend costs 5,000 CRED individually.
That means players who want all five through gameplay progression would need to accumulate 25,000 CRED in total.
The second option is purchasing the five Legends together as DLC for $9.99.
This gives players a choice between spending time earning CRED through the game or purchasing the complete group directly.
It is also worth understanding that the $9.99 purchase is for the five Legends rather than the entire Wave One update. Several of the update’s other additions are being provided as broader game content rather than being locked behind that bundle.
That distinction matters because calling the entire September update paid DLC would give an incomplete picture of what is actually being added.
What Is Free in the NBA THE RUN Update?
One of the biggest parts of Wave One is the amount of content being introduced outside the five Legends.
The update adds several gameplay and quality-of-life features for players generally.
Among the confirmed additions are:
- New Dyckman NYC court content
- Daytime and tournament variants
- Drive Cam
- Drive Flip Cam
- Practice Mode
- Custom Matches
- New dunk animations
- New driving layups
- Additional advanced moves
- New taunts
- New banners and badges
- Alternate jerseys
- Gameplay balancing
- Goaltending adjustments
- New music
- Licensed music
- Championship Belt progression
This makes Wave One more substantial than a simple roster expansion.
For players who have already spent considerable time with NBA THE RUN, the gameplay and mode changes may actually have a bigger effect on everyday matches than the new Legends themselves.
New Dyckman NYC Court
A new Dyckman NYC court is coming with the update.
The court is based around the famous New York streetball location and will be available in daytime and tournament variants.
That fits the overall direction of NBA THE RUN particularly well.
Street basketball has always been closely associated with recognizable local courts, and bringing Dyckman into the game gives players another environment to use for competitive matches.
The update also adds the daytime version of Spring Garden Elementary to the Knockout Tournament map playlist. That court had previously been available in Shootaround.
So there is more than one court-related change in Wave One.
Drive Cam and Drive Flip Cam
NBA THE RUN is also adding new camera options called Drive Cam and Drive Flip Cam.
Camera choice can make a noticeable difference in a competitive sports game because players have different preferences for judging space, movement and defensive positioning.
The new camera options give players another way to experience the action and may be particularly useful for people who do not enjoy the game’s previous camera setup.
This is a small feature on paper, but it is exactly the kind of addition that can become important after players spend several matches testing it.
Practice Mode Finally Gives Players a Place to Experiment
One of the most useful additions for newer players is Practice Mode.
Players can choose a court and ruleset and practice against AI opponents.
This gives players an opportunity to learn mechanics without immediately jumping into competitive matches.
That matters even more with Wave One because the update introduces new moves, dunk animations, layups and other gameplay changes.
Players can use Practice Mode to become familiar with those mechanics before taking them into normal matches.
The developer has also stated that matches in Practice Mode will not earn CRED or affect progression.
In other words, it is intended as a training environment rather than another way to grind rewards.
Custom Matches Add Private Games
Custom Matches are another important addition.
The new mode allows players to create a private party and select a court and ruleset for a match with or against friends online.
This gives NBA THE RUN a more flexible option for groups that want to play together without relying entirely on the standard matchmaking experience.
It could also become useful for players who want to experiment with specific rules, team combinations or gameplay ideas.
For a game centered around short 3v3 matches, having a straightforward private-match option makes sense.
New Gameplay Changes
Wave One also includes a substantial round of gameplay adjustments.
The developer has confirmed changes involving goaltending, standing dunks, driving layups, advanced moves and player tuning.
Goaltending is receiving a significant adjustment, making the mechanic harder to use successfully.
New driving layups are being introduced, while standing dunks and additional advanced animations expand the ways players can finish possessions.
The update also includes additional off-the-heezay animations and other movement changes.
These adjustments could change how players approach defense and offense after the update.
That is why players who have already developed a comfortable strategy should expect to spend some time adapting once the new patch is live.
Existing Players Are Also Being Adjusted
The update is not only about the five new Legends.
Several existing players are receiving attention as part of the balance changes.
The developer specifically mentioned Stephen Curry, Jayson Tatum, LaMelo Ball, Kawhi Leonard, Bam Adebayo, and Cooper Flagg among the players getting adjustments.
Some Street Legends are also receiving buffs, including Spin Cycle, Shen Tong and DJ.
At the same time, the Rookie Class has received some statistical reductions.
The exact impact of these changes depends on the final patch details and how the new ratings interact with NBA THE RUN’s gameplay systems.
For competitive players, however, these adjustments mean the September 29 update could change established team-building strategies.
Championship Belt Gives Players Another Goal
Wave One also introduces the Championship Belt system.
Players can earn a Championship Belt with each Legend by playing them in Squads and Solos.
The idea is to provide another form of progression beyond simply unlocking a character.
Instead of treating a Legend as something players unlock once and then forget about, the Championship Belt gives players an additional goal connected to mastering different characters.
It could also encourage players to experiment with Legends outside their normal playstyle.
Licensed Music Comes to NBA THE RUN
Music is another notable part of the September update.
NBA THE RUN is adding its first selection of licensed music, alongside new original music.
Players will also have options to customize their audio experience, giving them more control over the game’s soundtrack.
This is particularly fitting for NBA THE RUN because street basketball and music have historically been closely connected.
The update therefore expands the game’s atmosphere as well as its gameplay.
Leaderboards Reset on September 29
Competitive players should also pay attention to the leaderboard reset.
NBA THE RUN’s leaderboards are scheduled to reset when the Wave One update arrives on September 29.
That gives players a new competitive starting point after the gameplay changes are introduced.
For anyone interested in climbing the rankings, the first few days after the update should also be useful for learning how the new Legends, balance adjustments and camera options affect competitive play.
Why This Update Matters for NBA THE RUN
The 2000s Legends are obviously the headline feature, but the larger story is that NBA THE RUN is moving into its first official seasonal content phase.
The game launched with its core 3v3 streetball concept, and Wave One expands that foundation with new players, courts, modes, progression and gameplay systems.
The five Legends also give the developer a way to explore different basketball identities within the same format.
Iverson represents quick guard play. Garnett offers defensive and physical versatility. Carter brings explosive athleticism. Nowitzki provides a shooting-focused frontcourt option, while McGrady offers an all-around scoring style.
That variety should give players plenty of reasons to test different combinations rather than immediately settling on one lineup.
NBA THE RUN 2000s Legends Update: What Players Should Know
Here is the important information at a glance:
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Update | Wave One – 2000s Legends |
| Release date | September 29, 2026 |
| New Legends | Allen Iverson, Kevin Garnett, Vince Carter, Dirk Nowitzki, Tracy McGrady |
| Individual Legend cost | 5,000 CRED |
| Five-Legend bundle | $9.99 |
| New court | Dyckman NYC |
| New modes | Practice Mode and Custom Matches |
| New cameras | Drive Cam and Drive Flip Cam |
| Progression addition | Championship Belt |
| Music | New original and licensed music |
| Leaderboards | Reset on September 29 |
| Platforms | PS5, Xbox Series X |
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the NBA THE RUN 2000s Legends update release?
The Wave One – 2000s Legends update releases on September 29, 2026.
Which Legends are coming to NBA THE RUN?
The first five 2000s Legends are Allen Iverson, Kevin Garnett, Vince Carter, Dirk Nowitzki and Tracy McGrady.
How much does each NBA THE RUN Legend cost?
Each Legend can be unlocked for 5,000 CRED.
Can I get all five Legends together?
Yes. The five Legends are also available together through a $9.99 DLC bundle.
Is the entire NBA THE RUN update paid?
No. The broader Wave One update includes free content such as the new court, camera options, Practice Mode, Custom Matches, gameplay changes and other additions. The five Legends have their own CRED/DLC unlock system.
Does NBA THE RUN have Practice Mode after the update?
Yes. Practice Mode allows players to practice against AI opponents using selected courts and rulesets.
Is a new court being added?
Yes. The update introduces Dyckman NYC, including daytime and tournament variants.
Are there gameplay changes?
Yes. The update includes changes to goaltending, driving layups, standing dunks, advanced moves, player tuning and other gameplay systems.
Will the leaderboards reset?
Yes. The developer has announced that the NBA THE RUN leaderboards will reset on September 29 alongside the update.
Final Thoughts
The NBA THE RUN 2000s Legends update is shaping up to be much more than a nostalgia-focused character drop.
Allen Iverson, Kevin Garnett, Vince Carter, Dirk Nowitzki and Tracy McGrady are the names likely to attract the most attention, but the wider update is arguably just as important for the game’s long-term development.
Practice Mode gives players a place to learn. Custom Matches make private games easier to organize. The Dyckman NYC court expands the game’s streetball setting, while Drive Cam and Drive Flip Cam provide new ways to view matches.
At the same time, new dunks, layups, advanced moves and balance changes could alter how NBA THE RUN actually feels to play.
The five Legends also give players different reasons to experiment. Instead of simply adding five similar stars, the update brings together five players associated with very different styles of basketball.
For existing NBA THE RUN players, September 29 is therefore not just another content day. It marks the beginning of the game’s first official seasonal update and establishes the direction for its next phase of post-launch content.
The biggest question now is how players adapt to the new Legends and gameplay changes once the update is live. With the leaderboards resetting on the same day, everyone will have an opportunity to find out which lineups and strategies work best in the new version of NBA THE RUN.