Alley-oops in NBA 2K26 are naturally one of the most popular skill moves to pull off, just as they are in real basketball. For those who aren’t aware and perhaps new to NBA 2K games or the sport, an alley-oop is when one player throws up the ball toward the hoop for another to catch midair, allowing them to perform a dunk or layup. It’s also possible to throw the ball off the backboard to oneself for a self alley-oop, although this is usually done to showboat.
How To Alley Oop In NBA 2K26
To perform a normal alley-oop in NBA 2K26, it’s best to control a player with a high passing skill, such as a point guard. With a teammate moving toward the basket:
- PlayStation: Double-tap Triangle
- Xbox: Double-tap Y
This will throw the ball toward the hoop to be caught.
Alley-oops are best on the fast break in a 2 vs 1 situation or after a pick-and-roll play.
In situations where players are only controlling the passer, that’s all they will need to do. However, when controlling the whole team or the receiver, a final input is required.
Receiving The Alley-oop
When receiving an alley-oop, an icon with a button will pop up. This also has a circular timer with a white marker. Try to press the button when the timer reaches the marker.
- PlayStation: Square
- Xbox: X
Online and on harder difficulties, the button for receiving is random each time. On PlayStation, Square, Triangle, Circle, or Cross. On Xbox, X, Y, B, or A. This is new for NBA 2K26.
How To Alley Oop To Self In NBA 2K26
Self alley-oops are best performed in 1-on-1 scenarios where the attacking player has a height and physicality advantage, but ideally, they should be decent at passing and athletic enough to pull off a dunk. They are also a way to showboat on wide-open fast breaks.
Self alley-oops in NBA 2K26 have different controls compared with last season’s game.
Practice self alley-oops, other solo skills, and shooting in the Freeplay option under the Learn 2K tab.
To perform self alley-oops in NBA 2K26, run toward the hoop and press the following buttons at the same time.
- PlayStation: Square & Triangle
- Xbox: X & Y
This should lob the ball up and off the backboard. As the player rises to catch it, a button icon will appear with a timer.
- PlayStation: Square
- Xbox: X
Somewhere near the bottom of the circular timer is a white marker. Players should try to press the button when the timer reaches this marker. Pressing far too early or late will fail the dunk or layup.
NBA 2K26
- Released
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September 5, 2025
- ESRB
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Everyone / In-Game Purchases, Users Interact
- Engine
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Unreal Engine 5
- Multiplayer
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Online Multiplayer, Online Co-Op, Local Multiplayer, Local Co-Op
- Cross-Platform Play
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Yes – PS5/Xbox Series only
- Cross Save
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Yes – same console family (e.g.between PS5/PS4, or Xbox Series/Xbox One)
