Nine weeks down, four to go. We’ve hit the point where dropping a game could mean the end of conventional Playoff hopes with the sole path to redemption coming though THE TICKET Powered by AT&T. We saw some teams make huge strides last week, including Bucks Gaming and NetsGC, making the playoff race all the more interesting. Simply put, every game the rest of the way counts.

STORYLINES

Each week, we’ll sort through the top storylines that emerged from the previous week of games. This can be team performances, standout players, new lineups, or anything that made a huge impact on the week.

1. How many playoff spots are even left?

Taking a look at the NBA 2K League standings, we have six teams creeping very close to clinching postseason spots. Of those, only Raptors Uprising GC has officially clinched, but for the sake of argument, let’s assume that Jazz Gaming, Wizards District Gaming, Kings Guard Gaming, Warriors Gaming Squad and Mavs Gaming are all in. All six either have at least eight wins or three or less losses. The only outlier is Mavs Gaming, but standing at 9-4, it’s reasonable to assume they are pretty safe at this point. With that logic, and with 10 total playoff spots and one coming through THE TICKET, we only have three playoff spots remaining from the regular season. Along with that, it’s reasonable to assume that you’re going to need at least nine wins to make the Playoffs this season, especially since teams like the 7-win Hornets Venom GT and NetsGC are already so close to a spot. It doesn’t look like 8-8 is going to cut it for a conventional playoff spot this season. With that being said, the true bubble includes Hornets Venom GT, NetsGC, Bucks Gaming, T-Wolves Gaming, Cavs Legion GC, Grizz Gaming and Blazer5 Gaming. Teams like Hawks Talon GC, Knicks Gaming and Gen.G are going to stack wins and get some help to get in.

7 true contenders for only 3 spots. 

2. Rookie of the Year couldn’t be closer.

We’ve only had one other ROY since we’re only in Season 3, but last year was a two-player race by the end of the season between Reizey and BP. This year, there appears to be at least six player guys realistically in the race. Being practical, the Rookie of the Year is going to be one of three things.
1) A rookie PG on a winning team with great stats.
2) A rookie PG on an average team with league-leading stats.
3) A rookie lock with excellent 2-way stats.
Anyone else is going to have a tough time making a dent on the current class. With that being said, Jeff Eiseband nailed his top 5 last week and let’s put Choc officially into the mix as well due to his huge 2-0 week.

Regg: 6-5 record, 33.5 PPG, 8.7 APG, 58.9/44.1 shooting, 26.04 PIE

Choc: 7-4 record, 29.2, 9.6 APG, 60.5/47.9 shooting, 24.28 PIE

ShiftyKaii: 5-7 record, 28.41 PPG, 7.6 APG, 56.2/36.0 shooting, 23.13 PIE

Crush: 9-3 record, 8.9 PPG, 3.2 SPG, 70.4/61.8 shooting, 10.66 PIE

Bash: 9-3 record, 25.1 PPG, 6.8 APG, 54.9/46.1 shooting, 20.33 PIE

Splashy: 9-2 record, 24.9 PPG, 6.8 APG, 53.4/48.5 shooting, 18.72 pie

Regg might be the clubhouse leader at this point, especially coming off a massive win over the previously one-loss Jazz Gaming, however, you could pick any of these guys to be a favorite and you’d be correct in your own way. What’s very clear is that we do not have a runaway winner and also that this rookie class is absolutely incredible. It’s going to be a fun offseason exercise to see which draft class was truly better during their rookie season.

3. Who is playing spoiler this season?

There is a lot of honor in being the spoiler in any sport. Sometimes taking the happiness of a playoff spot away from another team can soothe than pain of losing one yourself. This season, that honor belongs to two of the best franchises in NBA 2K League history — 76ers GC and CLTX Gaming. The fun part about playing regular-season spoiler in the 2K League is that there is still a chance of making the Playoffs from THE TICKET, so it just makes it all the more interesting. 76ers GC finishes off their regular season with NetsGC, Hawks Talon GC, Blazer5 and Wizards DG. Four teams that all have huge implications…for the other guy. CLTX Gaming is in a similar scenario with them taking on Cavs Legion GC, Heat Check Gaming, Warriors Gaming Squad and Hawks Talon GC to finish off their regular season. 76ers GC and CLTX both have their sights set on THE TICKET as their last chance to make the Playoffs, but that doesn’t mean they need to take it easy on their opponents along the way.

4. THE TURN Powered by AT&T is coming up fast.

It can get forgotten in between the other two tournaments, but as someone who calls THE TURN Powered by AT&T their favorite tournament, I’m ready. Single-elimination with 23 teams involved, archetype bans, a big bracket, and a ton of money waiting at the end for the victory, THE TURN should not be overlooked! It also is coming at the perfect time because it’s going to tell us who the real contenders are and who is just holding onto an inflated record. Will Mavs Gaming finally make a real charge in a tournament? Will Warriors Gaming Squad defend their title and win their 2nd in a row? Will a team out of the Playoffs surprise us all and win or will Raptors Uprising GC roll over everyone again? We’ll have a full preview of the tournament coming next week, but for now, we can just ponder these questions and start getting excited.

Highlight(s) of the Week

Just an INSANE week for oFAB

38 PPG
13 APG
61 FG%

Classic @_oFAB😤 pic.twitter.com/KrvBkLkmps

— NBA 2K League (@NBA2KLeague) July 11, 2020

Nothing really comes close to a hyped-up Ramo

OH YEEEEEEAAAAAHHHH!!!!! 🗣️🗣️🗣️@PistonsGT @LetsGet_It_Ramo pic.twitter.com/tnnjuS0tNx

— NBA 2K League (@NBA2KLeague) July 10, 2020

A season-altering win for Bucks Gaming could mean a Playoff spot.

 

Week 10 Games: Playoff Hunt
Standings

NetsGC (7-4) vs. Grizz Gaming (6-6)
Wednesday, July 15 – 7 pm/et

This game matters a ton for both, but this is a must-win for Grizz Gaming. With three incredibly difficult games coming up against Jazz Gaming, Bucks Gaming and Warriors Gaming, they need to pull out a win here to stay on track with the rest of the teams on the bubble. For NetsGC, they could be coming into this game with an 8-4 record and in a poll position for a Playoff spot. Winning this game would all but cement the franchise’s first playoff appearance and perhaps put an end to the Grizz Gaming’s regular-season chances.

Kings Guard Gaming (9-3) vs. Bucks Gaming (6-5)
Thursday, July 16 – 9 pm/et

The end of season gauntlet for Bucks Gaming continues. This will be their second game of the week after taking on Warriors Gaming Squad to start the week. This game is absolutely huge for one of the prime teams on the bubble. If they beat Warriors Gaming Squad, they come into this match-up at 7-5 with a serious chance of locking down a spot. If they lose and fall to 6-6, this game could decide whether they make the Playoffs at all. For Kings Guard Gaming, a win in this game will basically clinch a spot and help continue climbing up the seeding ladder.

T-Wolves Gaming (6-5) vs. Blazer5 Gaming (5-6)
Friday, July 17 – 9 pm/et

The former champs vs. the Season 1 & 2 regular season champs to stay alive in the playoff race. Hopefully, an instant classic. For B5, this could end their conventional playoff hopes and put them in a possibly poetic position to make it through THE TICKET. T-Wolves Gaming wouldn’t be out of the hunt, but they would have to win out in order to get back into the Playoffs. You never want to count out any team with Mama Im Dat Man or BearDaBeast, but this game might put one of the biggest stars in the league on the outside looking in.