Basketball fans have a new reason to get excited as NBA 2K26 has revealed its cover athlete: Oklahoma City Thunder superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The announcement comes fresh off his historic season, where he led the Thunder to their first NBA championship while earning Season MVP and Finals MVP honors.
Gilgeous-Alexander, who averaged a league-best 32.7 points per game during the regular season, solidified his place among basketball’s elite by joining legends like Michael Jordan and Shaquille O’Neal as one of only four players to win MVP, Finals MVP, and the scoring title in the same year. His dominance continued in the playoffs, where he posted 29.9 points, 6.5 assists, and 5.3 rebounds per game in the Finals against the Indiana Pacers.
The 26-year-old guard, who saw his in-game rating rise from 96 to 98 in NBA 2K25, is now poised to potentially join the exclusive “99 overall” club in the upcoming installment. He becomes the second Thunder player to grace the cover in an Oklahoma City uniform, following Kevin Durant’s appearances on NBA 2K13 and 2K15.
See also: NBA 2K25 Review
Pre-orders for the game started yesterday, July 9, 2025. NBA Legend Carmelo Anthony graces the cover for the game’s Superstar Edition, while WNBA Edition features Angel Reese. The most expensive variant, the “Leave No Doubt Edition,” features a combination of the three superstars.
NBA 2K26 is scheduled to launch on September 5, 2025. Early access begins on August 29, a week ahead of the worldwide rollout.
Check out the NBA 2K26 pricing (on Steam) below:
- Standard Edition: Php2,920
- Superstar Edition: Php3,950
- WNBA Edition: Php2,920
- Leave No Doubt Edition: Php5,400