The NBA 2K League is the official E-sports league that is a joint venture between the National Basketball Association and Take-Two Interactive. The first inaugural season of the NBA 2K League began on May 1, 2018 for 17 weeks ending in August during NBA 2K18.
17 NBA teams participated in the league and each had their own team with players selected from a series of 2K combines and events.Players that are drafted live in their home markets during the season and fly into one or two central studios each week to compete. Each player that was drafted will move to the city of the team and will be paid for their housing and living expenses.
Teams will compete in 5-on-5 gameplay using unique customizable characters, not existing NBA players. The top eight teams advanced to the postseason while the semifinals and finals were best-of-three tournaments.
All NBA 2K League games and tournaments were streamed on Twitch as the multiyear partner to live stream all of the games.
At the end of the regular season, Blazer5 Gaming led the way with first place in the standings finishing with 12 wins and two losses. 76ers GC followed them closely finishing with 10 wins and 4 losses as they were the only two teams to reach ten or more wins.
According to the official NBA 2K League stats, Boo Painter of the Wizards District Gaming led all players in scoring at 32.3 points per game. Onewildwalnut of the Blazer5 Gaming out rebounded the entire league by averaging 13.8 rebounds per game. He was also named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) and the Defensive Player of the Year awards of the NBA 2K League. Celtics Crossover Gaming point guard OFAB made the most plays to his teammates this season while leading the league in assists at 17.5 assists per game.
During the playoffs is when teams and players lock in and put up their best efforts in order to bring home the championship trophy for their respective NBA 2K league team. Heat Check Gaming center, HOTSHOT, was unstoppable at getting buckets as he led all players in scoring at 46.6 points per game. That was a 14.3 point per game difference between the leaders from the regular season and from solely the playoffs despite playing fewer games. Cavs Legion GC center SICK X 973 out paced all other big men by averaging 18.5 rebounds per game. Mama Im Dat Man, Blazer5 Gaming point guard, led all players in assists at 16.0 assists per game.
It was a very intense series in the Finals between Knicks Gaming and Heat Check Gaming. HOTSHOT averaged 41.0 points per game leading all players in scoring. Knicks Gaming power forward, GOOFY757, was the best rebounder after averaging 11.5 rebounds per game. IAMADAMTHE1ST, Knicks Gaming point guard, showed that he was the best passer as he led everyone in assists at 10.0 assists per game.