NBA 2K announced their covers for the next version of their insanely popular basketball video game, and Luka Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks will appear on the standard edition cover of NBA 2K22. Meanwhile, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Dirk Nowitzki, and Kevin Durant will appear on the NBA 75th Anniversary Edition cover, which showcases how those three superstars revolutionized the game of basketball.
NBA 2K also created a specialized GameStop Exclusive cover featuring WNBA star Candace Parker, who becomes the first woman to appear on the cover of an NBA 2K22 video game.
NBA 2K is celebrating its own 25th anniversary of existence, which coincides with the NBA’s 75th anniversary. All of the new NBA 2K22 covers were designed by Atlanta-based artist Charly Palmer. The new games will hit the marketplace across all platforms on September 10, and you can pre-order as we speak.
Last year, Damian Lillard from the Portland Trail Blazers appeared on the cover of NBA 2K21 while the late Kobe Bryant appeared on the NBA 2K21 Legends edition.
Luka: Cover boy
Doncic is a triple-double machine with 36 total triple-doubles in his first three seasons in the NBA. He became the second-fastest player in NBA history to reach 35 triple-doubles behind the one and only Oscar Robertson. Anytime you’re mentioned in the same breath as the Big O, you’re doing something fantastic.
“Making the global cover of NBA 2K22 is special for me,” said Doncic. “I’m proud to represent my country in a special cover that honors the colors of the Slovenian flag. Basketball has given me so much, and I’m excited to give back and work together with 2K Foundations this year to help the lives of young kids around the globe.”
Doncic averaged 27.7 points, 8.6 assists, and 8.1 rebounds per game with the Dallas Mavericks this season. He also shot a career-high 35% from 3-point range. In the postseason, Doncic averaged 35.7 points, 10.3 assists, and 7.9 rebounds per game.
The Mavericks lost a seven-game series against the LA Clippers in the first round of the playoffs. Since then, the general manager Donnie Walsh and head coach Rick Carlisle stepped down. Jason Kidd takes over as the new Mavericks head coach.
Doncic will be appearing in the Tokyo Olympics representing his home country of Slovenia in the men’s basketball tournament.
NBA 2K Legends: Kareem, Dirk, KD
With the NBA set to celebrate its 75th year of existence, it’s fitting that NBA 2K honors Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, one of the league’s greatest players and the NBA’s all-time leading scorer.
“More of a wowzer,” tweeted Abdul-Jabbar. “I’m so excited to be on the cover of #NBA2K22.”
NBA 2K also tapped Dirk Nowitzki to appear on its 75th-anniversary cover. Nowitzki, a former star with the Dallas Mavericks, is currently ranked #6 on the all-time scoring list. He’s also the greatest German-born player in NBA history. “Not sure who these other guys are but huge honor to be on cover of #NBA2K22,” joked Nowitzki on Twitter.
Doncic and Nowitzki also become the first players from the Dallas Mavericks to appear on the cover of NBA 2K.
Kevin Durant, who is arguably the best player in the NBA right now, will also appear on the special cover of NBA 2K22. Durant previously appeared on the cover of NBA 2K13 and NBA 2K15.