NBA 2K26 Top 20–11 Player Ratings Revealed: Karl-Anthony Towns and Cade Cunningham Receive Major Upgrades

The countdown to NBA 2K26’s full player ratings is heating up. After unveiling the 100–51, 50–31, and 30–21 lists, 2K has now dropped the players ranked 20 through 11. This group features a mix of established stars, returning talents, and two of the biggest rating jumps in the game: Karl-Anthony Towns and Cade Cunningham.

20. Devin Booker – 91

19. Ja Morant – 91

18. Karl-Anthony Towns – 92

17. Joel Embiid – 92

16. Cade Cunningham – 92

15. Kawhi Leonard – 92

14. Tyrese Haliburton – 93

13. Jalen Brunson – 93

12. Anthony Davis – 93

11. Donovan Mitchell – 93

Devin Booker takes a slight drop. Last year, he ranked 12th with a 93 rating, but now he slides to 20th at 91. 

Booker’s individual numbers remained strong, but the Suns’ failed Big 3 experiment with Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal hurt his stock. With Phoenix missing the playoffs entirely, 2K hit Booker with a downgrade despite his consistency as a scorer.

Ja Morant climbs slightly from 20th last season with a 90 rating to 19th at 91. After a suspension-marred 2023-24 campaign, Morant returned and put up decent numbers, though Memphis still found itself battling just to stay in the play-in picture, despite a strong start to the season.

His dynamic playmaking and highlight-reel athleticism continue to keep him among the game’s top guards.

The biggest riser on the list is Karl-Anthony Towns. Last year, he was 32nd with an 88 rating, but after joining the New York Knicks and leading them to their first Conference Finals in 25 years, he shot up to 18th with a 92. 

Towns earned an All-Star nod and an All-NBA Third Team selection, proving he could finally shine on a big stage.

Joel Embiid takes one of the steepest falls. The 2023 MVP was ranked 5th with a 96 rating last year, but after playing just 19 games due to injuries, he tumbled down to 17th at 92. 

Philadelphia’s disastrous season without him played a major role, and with lingering questions about his health, Embiid’s 2K stock has taken a sharp hit and could continue to drop as well. 

Cade Cunningham’s leap is massive. Ranked just 41st last year with an 86, the Pistons star now sits at 16th with a 92. Detroit’s resurgence into the playoffs and Cunningham’s growth as a leader of a young, talented roster have made him one of the game’s fastest-rising players. 

His all-around play has finally translated into wins, and 2K rewarded him accordingly.

Kawhi Leonard stays steady, holding a 92 rating but moving up slightly from 17th to 15th. With the Clippers moving on from Paul George, Leonard’s role as the franchise cornerstone is even clearer. 

He remains a reliable two-way force when healthy, though durability continues over his long-term status.

Tyrese Haliburton gets the bump many expected after leading the Pacers to the NBA Finals. He rises from 19th with a 90 to 14th with a 93. 

Unfortunately, his season ended in heartbreak after an Achilles injury in Game 7 cost Indiana a shot at its first title. With Haliburton missing next season, his rise could be short-lived.

Jalen Brunson holds firm at 13th with a 93 rating. The Knicks’ leader was instrumental in their deep playoff run, consistently delivering in clutch moments. 

New York’s Conference Finals appearance, powered by Brunson’s scoring and leadership, has solidified his place among the game’s elite guards.

Anthony Davis drops out of the top 10 after being ranked 10th with a 94 last year. Now at 12th with a 93, Davis endured another injury-plagued season, his first with the Dallas Mavericks following the blockbuster Luka Doncic trade. 

Still, his defensive dominance and inside presence make him one of the league’s premier big men when healthy.

Donovan Mitchell climbs slightly from 14th to 11th, with his rating improving from 92 to 93. Despite Cleveland’s disappointing second-round exit, Mitchell was not the reason for the letdown. His scoring and leadership remain top-notch, and 2K rewarded him for another strong campaign.

The 20–11 list sets the stage for the top 10, but the storylines here are clear.

Towns and Cunningham make huge leaps after breakout seasons, while Embiid and Booker slide due to team struggles and injuries. With the top 10 still to be revealed, the debate over who truly deserves the crown in NBA 2K26 is only just beginning.