The NBA 2K23 Controls Guide is designed to give players a clear overview of essential keyboard controls.
NBA 2K23 is a basketball video game that is more advanced than its previous versions, but still comes with some old challenges. When one plays the game for the first time, there are moments that they may have never seen before.
For instance, when the ball bounces on both sides of the rim and both teams then battle for the loose ball. These small details, which are often overlooked, give the game an authentic basketball feel. The gameplay feels much better than previous versions, with the weight of the players and the ball being more noticeable, making every move feel slower and more controlled.
This is much better compared to NBA 2K22’s hyperactive pace, where players could easily change directions. However, despite these improvements, the game still has some old problems, like excessive microtransactions and AI limitations, which disrupt the natural feel of the game.
The game also introduces some new and unique features that make the gameplay more engaging. The adrenaline boosts feature, which is designed to limit over-dribbling, will be very useful in online play, but offline it feels a bit unnecessary.
In this feature, players have to use one of their boosts when making quick cuts or driving towards the rim, which is a limited resource. Additionally, the new unique jump-shot ratings make every player’s shot release different, like the release time between James Harden and Steven Adams being noticeably distinct.
This feature adds a more realistic touch to the game, showcasing each player’s unique shooting style. However, when it comes to MyPlayer mode, microtransactions are still very prominent. To level up a player’s skills or looks, one has to spend either a lot of time or money, which can be frustrating for those who want to improve their character just by playing the game.
This creates an unbalanced online experience, where players who spend money have an unfair advantage.
Game Features:
Xbox One & Xbox Series X Bindings
This list includes the Xbox One & Xbox Series X Bindings created for your convenience. With the help of this list, you can easily play your game more effectively.
Shooting Controls
| Keys | Actions |
| Move and hold Right Stick down (while driving in close range) | Runner / Floater |
| Move and hold Right Stick down left while driving with ball in the right hand, or double-tap X | Euro Step Layup |
| Move and hold Right Stick down right with ball in the right hand, or double-tap X | Cradle Layup |
| Move and hold Right Stick right while driving along the right baseline | Reverse Layup |
| Move and hold Right Stick up and release | Bank Shot |
| Move and hold Right Stick up while driving | Normal Layup |
| Press and hold X or move and hold Right Stick, then release | Free Throw |
| Press and hold X. Or move and hold Right Stick, then release | Jump Shot |
| Press X or move and hold Right Stick in any direction during offensive rebound | Putback Dunk/Layup |
| Pump fake, then press and hold Right Stick, or press and hold X | Step-Through |
| Rotate Right Stick clockwise, then hold while driving, or hold RT + double-tap X | Spin Gather |
| Rotate Right Stick in a quarter-circle from right to up, then hold | Half Spin Gather |
| RT + Move and hold Right Stick down while driving | Flashy Dunk |
| RT + Move and hold Right Stick left or right | Dominant / Off-Hand Dunk |
| RT + Move and hold Right Stick up while driving | 2-Hand Dunk |
| RT + Move Right Stick down left/right, or tap X while dribbling | Hop Gather |
| Start dunk/layup, move Right Stick in any direction while airborne | Mid-Air Change Shot |
| Tap X or quickly move and release Right Stick | Pump Fake |
Dribbling Controls
| Keys | Actions |
| Hold LT while dribbling | Hold Off Defenders |
| Hold RT + Move Left Stick in any direction | Sprint |
| Hold RT, flick Right Stick diagonally down, then flick Left Stick diagonally up | Explosive Behind the Back |
| Move Right Stick down left, release with ball in right hand | Between Legs Cross |
| Move Right Stick down, then release | Behind the Back |
| Move Right Stick left, then release | Crossover |
| Move Right Stick right, then release | Triple Threat Side Jab |
| Move Right Stick right, then release with ball in right hand | Hesitation |
| Move Right Stick up left, then release | Triple Threat Mid-Stepover |
| Move Right Stick up right, then release | Triple Threat Front Jab |
| Perform standing dribbling moves in rapid succession | Signature Size-up Chains |
| Rotate Right Stick clockwise, then release | Spin |
| RT + Move Right Stick down, then release while driving | Stepback |
| RT + Move Right Stick left, then release | Crossover to Hesitation Escape |
| RT + Move Right Stick right, then release | Hesitation (Escape) |
| RT + Move Right Stick up then release | In and Out |
| RT + move Right Stick, then release while standing | Behind the Back Wrap Escape |
| Tap LT while driving | Hard Stop / Stutter |
Passing Controls
| Keys | Actions |
| Double-tap B | Flashy Pass |
| Double-tap Y | Alley-oop |
| Double-tap Y + Move Left Stick toward hoop | Alley-oop to Self |
| Hold A to target farther receiver | Skip Pass |
| Press A. Left Stick selects receiver | Normal Pass |
| Press and hold B, move selected receiver with Left Stick, release to pass | Full Receiver Control |
| Press and hold Y, release to pass | Lead to Basket Pass |
| Press B. Left Stick selects receiver | Bounce Pass |
| Press RB, then press receiver’s action button | Icon Pass |
| Press Y. Left Stick selects receiver | Lob Pass |
| X + A while standing or driving | Jump Pass |
| Y + B while standing or driving | Fake Pass |
Post-Moves Controls
| Keys | Actions |
| Hold LT + RT + Left Stick toward key, then release LT | Drive to Key |
| Hold LT to post up, move Left Stick in any direction, then release | Post Pivot |
| Hold LT, hold RT + move Right Stick up left/right | Post-Shimmy Hook |
| Hold LT, move Left Stick left/right toward hoop, tap X | Drop Step |
| Hold LT, move Left Stick left/right, tap X | Post-Hop |
| Hold LT, move Right Stick left/right away from hoop | Post Fade |
| Hold LT, with Left Stick neutral, move and hold Right Stick up left/right | Post Hook |
| Press and hold LT to post up, release LT to faceup | Enter/Leave Post |
Advanced Ball Denial Controls
| Keys | Actions |
| Hold LT + RT, move Left Stick | Fast Shuffle |
| Hold LT, aim Left Stick toward dribbler | Crowd Dribbler |
| Hold Right Stick in any direction | Deny Hands Out |
| Press and hold LB | Double Team |
| Press and hold LT near an opponent | Ball Denial |
| Press and hold X when close to ball defender | Intentional Foul |
| Press X to attempt ball steal | Steal |
Absolver Controls Guide
The Absolver Controls Guide is designed to give players a clear overview…
These controls are designed in such a way that you can understand each level excellently, ensuring that you are fully prepared to face every challenge that NBA 2K23 presents.
Feel free to explore our Age of Wonders 4 Controls Guide for another interesting game to get into.
