Play by Play Studios unveiled The Run: Got Next in 2024 as a character-driven, full-court 3v3 street basketball game. The project was later renamed NBA THE RUN and launched on June 9, 2026, for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam. Its focus is online arcade tournaments rather than a professional-basketball simulation.
What happened to The Run: Got Next?
The Run: Got Next was the original announcement title for Play by Play Studios’ first announced game. In October 2025, the developer introduced the name NBA THE RUN; that is the title under which the game was released. NBA.com reported the launch for June 9, 2026.
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The original unveiling presented the project as a character-driven, full-court 3v3 game inspired by streetball culture. It has since become an online arcade basketball game organized around short knockout tournaments, not a traditional NBA season or a simulation-style career mode. Play by Play’s announcement and its later name announcement document that evolution.
How NBA THE RUN plays
The central format is a four-round knockout tournament. Players try to advance by winning matches, with courts and rules changing across rounds. The developer describes both solo and squad play. That structure makes the tournament—not a long schedule of league games—the organizing loop.
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In an April 2026 feature overview, Play by Play described momentum-based “In the Zone” abilities, Shootaround practice, and Knockout Friends, a private tournament mode. The studio also outlined cosmetics earned with in-game Cred, five rookie variants, and unlockable streetball legends. Those are developer-described features from a pre-release overview, not a claim that every feature or balance detail has been independently tested. The studio’s feature overview provides the feature descriptions.
Launch platforms, roster and courts
At launch, NBA.com reported availability on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam. The US PlayStation Store listing confirms the PS5 edition. Launch coverage also gave these roster and court counts:
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- FUN & EASY HOOP PLAY: Players of any age and level can learn the basics and play in style as they shoot, dunk, and block.
- CO-OP ON THE COURTS: Shoot hoops with family and friends and amp up the challenge with up to 4 players.
- PRACTICE YOUR MOVES: Choose your game mode and work on your lay-ups in Training, compete in a Full Season or Party playing Ball Pop and more.
- MASCOT MAYHEM: Jump into the shenanigans with your favorite team mascot in Party Mode.
- BUILD YOUR PERFECT LINEUP: Choose an Eastern or Western Conference team and design your players from the hair to the sneakers and funky trails.
| Launch detail | Reported figure | Qualification |
|---|---|---|
| NBA players | 32 | NBA.com launch coverage, 2026 |
| Rookie variants | 5 | NBA.com launch coverage, 2026 |
| Streetball legends | 5 | NBA.com launch coverage, 2026 |
| Courts | 11 | NBA.com launch coverage, 2026 |
These are launch figures, not a live count of the roster or courts after subsequent updates. NBA.com’s launch overview reported them.
Online play and price
Online play is required for the PS5 edition, and the PlayStation Store says PS Plus is required for online play. Its listing supports up to six online players with PS Plus. Check the store for your region and platform before buying, since terms and prices can differ.
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NBA.com reported launch prices of $29.99 for the standard edition and $39.99 for the deluxe edition. Those are launch prices, not a guarantee of today’s price; storefront offers are time- and region-sensitive. The launch report covers the editions, while the PlayStation Store shows current PS5 availability and pricing for its listed region.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How it differs from a basketball simulation
NBA THE RUN is built around streetball characters, arcade action, and knockout progression. It is not presented as a simulation of professional league play. CEO Scott Probst described the design goal as creating something modern while learning from earlier games: “We didn’t want to just recreate what had been done before. We wanted to build something from the ground up that feels modern, while learning from all the classics that came before us.” Probst made the comment in an NBA.com interview.
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That framing is useful when deciding whether the game matches your preferences: its documented draw is the changing tournament format and streetball presentation, rather than a claim to replace a simulation-focused basketball game. No comparative performance or quality verdict is established here.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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