NBA 2K24: PS4 & PS5 Controls Guide

by Fernando Diaz / Game Guides, NBA 2K24 / 24 Aug 2023

Y’all ready to break some ankles and take some names? We’re about to dish out the ultimate, most detailed controls guide for NBA 2K24 on both PS4 and PS5. Buckle up, bro, this guide is gonna have you posterizing opponents in no time.

Remember, the PS5’s fancy new DualSense controller has got some slick haptic feedback going on that the PS4 doesn’t, but the basic buttons are all the same. Let’s lace up and hit the hardwood!

Passing Controls

Normal Pass (X): Basic but reliable, this is your bread and butter. Pass the rock to your open man or get out of a sticky situation. Simple as that, bro.

Bounce Pass (O): Keep it low and slick, especially when you’re in tight spaces or threading the needle through traffic.

Lob Pass (Triangle): This one’s for those over-the-top moments. Perfect for getting the ball over defenders and into the hands of your teammate.

Skip Pass (Hold X): You got a guy wide open on the other side of the court? No worries, hit ’em up with a skip pass.

Fake Pass (Triangle + O): Keep the defense guessing with a fake pass. Do it while standing or driving to the hoop to really sell it.

Jump Pass (Square + X): Throw off defenders with a surprise jump pass. Risky but rewarding when executed right.

Icon Pass (Press R1, then the icon button of the receiver): Got a specific teammate in mind? Use the Icon Pass for precision delivery.

Flashy Pass (Double tap O): When it’s time to showboat and get those style points, whip out a flashy pass.

Alley-oop (Double tap Triangle): Lob city, here we come! See a teammate cutting to the rim? Serve up a sweet alley-oop.

Alley-oop to Self (Double tap Triangle + move LS towards the hoop): Feeling audacious? Toss the ball up and throw down a self alley-oop.

Lead to Basket Pass (Hold Triangle): Direct a teammate to cut to the hoop then release to dish the rock at the perfect moment.

Handoff Pass (Hold O): Got a teammate coming up? Hold off your defender and handoff the ball for a quick play.

Touch Pass (Press X before first receiver gets the ball): The ultimate in quick thinking and rapid ball movement. Hit X before your guy gets the ball and he’ll instantly pass it on.

Pro Stick Pass (Hold R1 + move RS in desired direction): Use the Pro Stick for some nifty pass control, especially when you need to hit that open man ASAP.

Give and Go (Hold X): Classic basketball right here. Pass the rock, cut to the hoop, and get it right back for an easy bucket.

Rolling Inbound (Triangle during baseline inbounds): When you’re inbounding from the baseline, give the defense something different to think about with a rolling pass.

Dribbling Controls

Signature Size-up (Hold RS up): Time to show off those killer handles with your player’s signature size-up move.

Signature Park Size-up (Tap L2 repeatedly): Break out some streetball flair with a park size-up to keep your defender on their toes.

In and Out (Move RS right then release quickly): A quick move that can help create space for a shot or drive.

Hesitation (Move RS right then release quickly): Keep your defender guessing with a hesitation move. Perfect for setting up a killer crossover.

Hesitation Escape (Hold RS right): Use this when you’re dribbling with the right hand to blow by your defender.

Crossover (Move RS up left then release quickly): Send your defender sliding the wrong way with a quick crossover.

Crossover Escape (Hold RS up left): Got a defender pressing you too close? Hit ’em with a crossover escape.

Between Legs Cross (Move RS left then release quickly): Add a touch of flash to your game with a between the legs crossover.

Behind the Back (Move RS down left then release quickly): A great move to shake off tight defense and open up driving lanes.

Momentum Behind the Back (R2 + Move RS down left then release quickly): Use your momentum to your advantage with a quick behind the back move.

Stepback (Move RS down then release quickly): Create some separation for a jumper with a slick stepback.

Momentum Stepback (R2 + Move RS down then release quickly): When you’re on the move, pull off a stepback to leave your defender in the dust.

Spin (Rotate RS clockwise then release quickly): Throw your defender off balance with a quick spin move.

Hard Stop / Stutter (Tap L2): Change up the pace to keep your defender on their heels.

Hold Off Defenders (Hold L2): Use your body to shield the ball from defenders while you’re setting up your next move.

Double Throws & Switchbacks (Flick Pro Stick in a direction then back): Get fancy with your dribbling and keep defenders guessing with these advanced moves.

Shooting Controls

Jump Shot (Hold and release Square or hold RS up): Standard jump shot. How you gonna put points on the board? This right here. Timing and release are everything.

Bank Shot (Hold Square or RS towards hoop then release): Use the glass to sink your shot. Tim Duncan would be proud.

Free Throw (Hold and release Square or hold and release RS): One of the purest forms of shooting. Chill, aim, and let it fly.

2-PT/3-PT Shooting (Hold Circle): Step back for a three-pointer or move inside the line for a two. Know your players, know your range.

Dunk (Hold R2 + Square or Hold R2 + RS towards hoop): When you’re ready to slam it home, bust out a dunk. Nothing gets the crowd hyped like a big slam!

Layup (Move and hold RS in any direction away from hoop): Quick and efficient, layups are your bread and butter close to the rim.

Runner/Floater (Move and hold RS away from hoop while driving close): Over a shot-blocker in the paint? Try a runner or floater to get the bucket.

Hop Gather (Tap Square or move RS left or right then quickly release): Hop into your shot or drive to keep defenders off balance.

Euro Step Layup (Double tap Square while holding LS towards the hoop): Channel your inner Manu with a slick Euro Step layup.

Craddle Layup (Double tap Square while holding LS away from hoop): Protect the ball on your way to the hoop with a cradle layup.

2-Hand Dunk (R2 + Hold RS up): Power it down with a two-hand jam.

Flashy Dunk (R2 + Hold RS down): Show off a little with a flashy dunk. Style points matter, after all!

Dominant or Off-Hand Dunk (R2 + Hold RS left or right): Dunk with your dominant or off-hand to throw off defenders.

Mid-Air Change Shot (Square then Square again while in the air): Keep the defense guessing with a mid-air shot change.

Pump Fake (Start a jump shot, then quickly release Square): Get the defense to bite with a well-timed pump fake.

Step Through (Pump fake, then press Square again before pump fake ends): Use your pump fake to get your defender in the air, then step through for an easy bucket.

Defense Controls

Take Charge (Hold O): Hold your ground and take a charge to swing momentum and get the ball back.

Block/Rebound (Triangle): Protect the rim or go up strong for a rebound with the same button.

Steal (Square): See an opportunity to poke the ball loose? Go for a steal.

Intense-D (Hold L2): Get right in your opponent’s grill with some intense D.

Crowd Dribbler (Hold L2 + R2): Keep up the pressure by crowding the dribbler.

Fast Shuffle (Hold L2 + R2, then move LS in any direction): Stay in front of your man with a fast shuffle.

Hands Up Defense (Move and hold RS in any direction): Contest shots without fouling by putting your hands up.

Shot Contest (Move RS up then quickly release): Get a hand in the shooter’s face to disrupt their shot.

Swat Block (Hold R2 + press Triangle): Swing for the fences with a swat block, just be sure not to foul!

Take Charge/Flop (Double tap O): Ready to risk it all? Take a charge or try for a flop to get the call.

Onball Steal (Press Square when near dribbler): Try to snatch the ball directly from the handler with an on-ball steal.

Bump (Hold L2 when near the dribbler): Don’t let them get comfortable – use a bump to disrupt the offensive player’s rhythm.

Fernando Diaz

Fernando is doing what he always did, sharing his honest opinions about games whenever he can. The difference is now he is writing and not talking about it.
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