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NBA THE RUN Wave One – 2000s Legends: Release Date and New Roster

The 3v3 streetball game adds five Hall of Famers, a new court, the Drive Cam, and custom matches on September 29.

The 3v3 streetball game adds five Hall of Famers, a new court, the Drive Cam, and custom matches on September 29.

NBA THE RUN kicks off its first official Season with Wave One – 2000s Legends, the biggest update the 3v3 streetball game has shipped so far. It brings five Hall of Famers to the blacktop, a new New York court, fresh camera angles, and a batch of gameplay changes that everyone gets for free.

Quick answer: Wave One – 2000s Legends launches on September 29, 2026 for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and Steam. Spend 5,000 in-game CRED to unlock a legend, or get the full set of five for $9.99.


Wave One – 2000s Legends release date and platforms

The update lands on September 29, 2026 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC through Steam. It is a content drop for the existing game rather than a standalone release, so you need NBA THE RUN installed to play it.

NBA THE RUN itself is out now for $29.99, with a Deluxe Edition at $39.99. To line up with the new NBA season, the Standard Edition is being discounted by up to 34% and the Deluxe Edition by 25% across platforms in the weeks around the drop.


The five 2000s legends and their signature styles

Wave One introduces the game’s first licensed Hall of Famers. Each one is handcrafted with a stylized look and moves modeled on how the player actually played, so their strengths carry over onto the court.

LegendTeam lookPlaystyle
Allen IversonPhiladelphia 76ersCrossovers and drives
Dirk NowitzkiDallas MavericksStep-backs and threes
Vince CarterToronto RaptorsExplosive dunks
Kevin GarnettTimberwolves / CelticsLockdown defense and rebounds
Tracy McGradyMagic / RocketsScoring from anywhere
Dirk Nowitzki Reveal00:16Dirk Nowitzki Reveal
Dirk Nowitzki takes flight in his Mavericks blue during the reveal. Shown at 00:16 in IGN’s video. Image: Play by Play Studios

How to unlock the legends

There are two ways to add the legends to your roster. You can grind them out one at a time or buy the whole set instantly.

Vince Carter Reveal00:23Vince Carter Reveal
Vince Carter revealed in his Toronto Raptors look. Shown at 00:23 in IGN’s video. Image: Play by Play Studios
  • Spend 5,000 CRED per legend, the currency you earn through in-game progression.
  • Buy all five together as a bundle for $9.99 to unlock them right away.

Once a legend is unlocked, they become selectable on the character screen alongside the game’s existing lineup of more than 36 NBA stars and streetball characters.


Free content for all players

You do not need to buy anything to get most of what Wave One adds. A wave of free content ships alongside the paid roster.

  • The new Dyckman NYC court, playable in daytime and tournament variants.
  • The overhead Drive Cam and Drive Flip Cam angles.
  • New dunks, new taunts, original music, and the game’s first licensed tracks.
  • A championship belt awarded for tournament wins.
Knock-Out Squad Championship Belt00:08Knock-Out Squad Championship Belt
The Knock-Out Squad Champion belt, raised after a tournament win. Shown at 00:08 in IGN’s video. Image: Play by Play Studios

The Drive Cam pulls the view in tight behind the ball handler during drives and ankle-breaker moves, giving crossovers and defensive breaks a close-up angle.

Drive Cam Showcase00:37Drive Cam Showcase
The new Drive Cam frames a contested drive from behind the ball handler. Shown at 00:37 in IGN’s video. Image: Play by Play Studios

Custom Matches and Practice Mode

The update adds two new ways to play. Custom Matches let you arrange a private party and select the court and ruleset for one online game, either competing against a friend or playing alongside them.

Practice Mode lets you choose a court and ruleset and drill against AI opponents to work on your moves before heading into ranked play.


Gameplay changes in the update

Beyond the new content, Wave One tunes how the game plays. Expect new standing dunks, driving layups, and additional advanced moves, along with continued player balancing and adjustments to goaltending.

Fast-Paced Action & Dunks00:45Fast-Paced Action & Dunks
A high-flying finish over defenders on an outdoor cage court. Shown at 00:45 in IGN’s video. Image: Play by Play Studios

The game runs on rollback netcode, so crossovers, loose-ball dives, and alley-oops stay in sync for everyone in a match. Wave One – 2000s Legends starts the game’s first Season, and Play by Play Studios has said more content updates are on the way, including additional players, courts, and modes.