NBA 2K26 Ratings Update: Biggest Risers and Fallers

Top Risers

The biggest story of the update centers around Luka Doncic, who’s now a 97 OVR (+2) after torching defenses early in the season. His all-around dominance continues to translate in-game, making him one of the most unstoppable players in NBA 2K26.

Also climbing into elite company is Victor Wembanyama, boosted to 95 OVR (+1), joining Stephen Curry in the same tier. The young Spurs star continues his rise as a two-way phenom, while Curry’s consistent brilliance earned him a matching bump.

It wasn’t just the household names making moves — several rising players cashed in big:

• Tyrese Maxey (89 OVR, +3) – The Sixers guard keeps proving he’s more than a sidekick.
• Austin Reaves (88 OVR, +3) – A major jump reflecting his offensive consistency in L.A.
• Keyonte George (82 OVR, +4) – Utah’s backcourt centerpiece just skyrocketed.
• Stephon Castle (84 OVR, +2) – The Spurs rookie is thriving alongside Wembanyama.
• Jalen Johnson (85 OVR, +4) – A breakout year in Atlanta earns him one of the biggest bumps.
• Ryan Kalkbrenner (78 OVR, +8) – The Hornets big man leads the update in total gain, jumping eight full points.
• Cedric Coward (80 OVR, +8) and V.J. Edgecombe (81 OVR, +5) also headline the league’s new wave of emerging stars.

These upgrades not only reshape MyTEAM and Play Now rotations but also hint at which players could define the first few months of the virtual season.

Biggest Fallers

But for every player trending up, there’s another facing the virtual slump. The first update delivered some tough adjustments to several veterans and role players who’ve cooled off in recent weeks.

• Cameron Johnson (79 OVR, ▼4) – One of the biggest drops in the update; his shooting consistency has dipped, and 2K noticed.
• Ace Bailey (73 OVR, ▼4) – The Jazz rookie gets a reality check after a slow stretch.
• Bradley Beal (77 OVR, ▼3) – Injuries and quiet performances push his rating down for the Clippers.
• Klay Thompson (76 OVR, ▼3) – The sharpshooter’s struggles carry over to 2K, marking one of his steepest declines in years.
• Derrick White (84 OVR, ▼3) and Anfernee Simons (78 OVR, ▼3) – Both see their stock drop despite flashes of production.
• Josh Hart (78 OVR, ▼3) – New York’s energy wing takes a hit after a rough offensive stretch.

These downgrades are bound to stir fan debate, especially with recognizable names taking some of the hardest hits. For longtime 2K players, it’s another reminder — reputation doesn’t protect you when the live data says otherwise.

What It Means Going Forward

This early patch sets the tone for NBA 2K26’s live ratings cycle. 2K has shown it’s serious about keeping performance-based changes tight and frequent, meaning the next update could swing just as hard in the opposite direction. Rising rookies like Castle and George are officially on notice — one cold week could flip their momentum fast.

For fans, it’s the first true glimpse at how dynamic this year’s ratings system can be — and judging by the mix of +8 risers and -4 fallers, nobody’s safe.