It’s finally time. The 2024 NBA 2K League 3v3 Playoffs are upon us and by the end, we will be crowning a brand new champion. Off the top, this is the most individual talent the 3v3  playoffs have ever seen. All of these teams are loaded with elite talent, there are no easy matchups to be found. We have our definite favorites this year, but I really think any team can get hot and make a huge run. The 3v3 playoffs have proven to be chaotic in the past and this will be no different. Also, we’re back in person for the first time this season. That is an added element that can’t be understated. It’s time for the big boys to take the stage and compete for the big cash. Without further ado, let’s jump into our team by team breakdown and I’ll have my prediction at the bottom.

 

#1 Seed: Lakers Gaming (18-3, 2.4 PD)
X-Factor: ShiftyKaii 10.7 ppg, 2.9 apg, 73.8 FG%

 

This team has been almost unquestionably the best team in the league since Day 1. Heck, it took them until championship Saturday in BOTH tournaments for them to even lose a single series. They have the best win% in both games and series. They are #1 in offense, #2 in defense, ShiftyKaii having a MVP season, YooVC and Krazy in the middle of career years as well, you really couldn’t ask for much more from this team. Their only true hurdle now? Magic Gaming. 2 of their 3 series losses have come to Orlando and a Finals matchup against them feels almost inevitable at this point. Can they beat them one last time? Lakers  Gaming are the best team in 3v3 coming into the playoffs, Magic Gaming are the hottest and on a collision course. Can’t wait to see who comes out on top.

 

#2 Seed: Magic Gaming (16-5. 2.5 PD)

X-Factor: LowkeyGodlike 5.4 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 58.6 3P%

 

Lakers Gaming may be the #1 seed, but as I said above, Magic Gaming are the hottest team in the league. An incredible close to the season saw them snag the #1 offense, defense, and point differential heading into the playoffs. No team in the league is playing better 3v3 ball than Orlando heading into the playoffs. Their biggest questions will be stage acumen. Unguardable has been pretty good on stage in his career, but no true iconic moments quite yet. Godlike did just fine during the 3v3 playoffs last season, but my eye is on Jboolin. They’ve put a lot of pressure on his shoulders and he’s handled it all in stride so far. Let’s see how he handles the pressure cooker of the 2KL stage for the first time. The only thing standing in their way is themselves…and maybe Lakers Gaming.

#3 Seed: Gen.G Tigers (16-7, 1.6 PD)
X-Factor: Gallow 10.6 ppg, 3.4 apg, 63.5 3P%

 

Gen.G is the forgotten team of the 3v3 season. If Magic or Lakers weren’t having the seasons they are having, Gen.G would be our biggest story. A perennially bad 3v3 team goes through an almost complete rebuild led by a former #1 pick? The headlines write themselves. However, for as good as they’ve been, they just haven’t been able to win THE BIG ONE. Two tough semi-final losses have left all of us a bit concerned. They’ve had a great season, but do they have that extra gear to get over LA or Orlando or any team that gets red hot this week? It will inevitably define their season, but based on year’s past, I’m sure they’ll take that over the Steal.

 

#4 Seed: T-Wolves Gaming (14-8, 1.1 PD)

X-Factor: BearDaBeast 4.6 ppg, 1.7 apg, 60.9 3P%

 

We told you at the start of the season that  T-Wolves Gaming was going to be must-see TV and man of man were we right. Is this team truly as good as the 8-game win streak they closed the Switch Open on? No clue. What do I know? They have their two rookies playing their best ball at the perfect time and a vet who knows how to win on stage in these kinds of series. I don’t think a 3v3 title is truly on the board for this team, but valuable stage experience for Tutak and Igymo is imperative for their 5v5 season. If they can win a few rounds on stage then go down fighting, it’s a huge win in my book.

 

#5 Seed: Pistons GT

X-Factor: Ant 9.3 ppg, 2.9 apg, 58.2 FG%

Alright, I’m finally going to say it. I think Pistons GT looked really bored this year. They know they are one of the best teams in the league and I think they coasted a bit getting to the playoffs. I know the Pistons tenacity when I see it and it just hasn’t been quite there yet. However…they are the best 3v3 team on stage in the league. Period. Until that title is taken from them and they get beat badly on stage, it’s theirs to lose. I think they still have as good of a chance as any team to win the title. Ant’s stats have been down about 10-20%% this year. If he can find that extra gas, this team is making it to Saturday. I’m a believer until someone shows me otherwise.

 

#6 Seed: Celtics Crossover Gaming
X-Factor: Leche 10.4 ppg, 2.85 apg, 62.2 3P%

 

The Celtics are the yin to Pistons GT’s yang. They are opposite in so many ways. Regular season darlings, great underlying states, a relatively emotionless team led by a PG without a huge personality, what more do you need? The problem is,you need that kind of attitude to win huge series on stage. It’s a mental and emotional battle up there and some guys just can’t take it. Boston has struggled in almost every big game they’ve had this season and that’s just been remote. If they can find an extra edge in person, a deep run is on the table. But we need to see some JUICE. They got no JUICE.

 

#7 Seed: Heat Check Gaming (10-5, 1.7 PD)

X-Factor: Dtrick 8.2 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 91.9 FG%

The darkhorse to end all dark horses. There has never been a team more darkhorsey than Heat Check Gaming. Unique style of play, fascinating regular season, streaky PG, dominant inside center, you literally can’t write it up better. If Ky gets hot for 2-3 days, this team is making it to Saturday, regardless of who they go up against. I still believe in this team. I know the inside center thing has been found out a bit, I know they lost to Kings Guard Gaming in the Switch as the one seed, but I need to stand on my principles. I like teams that  do unique and fun things and stick to their guns. They stick to their guns, I stick to mine, that’s the rule. You go, Heat Check Gaming, for better or worse.

 

#8 Seed: Nets GC (10-7, .9 PD)

X-Factor: Greens 9.5 ppg, 3.2 apg, 63.1 FG%

 

I could go on and on about this team and their issues, but I’m not. Let’s be honest. If Greens has a week truly up to his MVP-ceiling, this team is going to win playoff rounds. That’s it, that’s the whole take. He has been below his standards this year, if he returns to those standards, this team will compete for the Final Four just like they did last year in person. I hate putting it on him, but this is how greatness in the league is cultivated sometimes. Pressure creates diamonds.

 

#9 Seed: Grizz Gaming (10-7, .8 PD)

X-Factor: Vandi 11.2 ppg, 2.3 apg, 67.4 FG%

The last time we saw Vandi in the playoffs, he was getting upset by Rim Runners in one of the most humiliating losses in 3v3 history. Thankfully, last year he got a year to reset, win a title, and get his magic back and I’m here to report, it is VERY back. I think Vandi has been the 2nd best individual player in 3v3 this year. He won’t get the MVP buzz of Kaii or Unguardable due to team success, but his numbers are just ridiculous. #1 in scoring, #1 in FGM per game, 78.5% TS on 7.1 attempts per game, he’s been a total dog. If OhDonn or Icy can get hot, this team will make some noise. That, however, has been their case the entire season.

 

#10 Seed: 76ers GC (10-7, -1.1 PD)

X-Factor: Dre 7.1 ppg, 3.8 apg, 50.0 FG%

 

I don’t know how this team made the playoffs. It’s not even that they don’t deserve it, they totally do,  but their underlying stats are pretty awful. They have the 6th worst point differential in the  league. They have a losing record in total games this year at 38-41. Yet, in classic 76ers GC fashion, they scraped together enough  games to make the playoffs. And now? I don’t want to play with these guys. Dre, DT, and DJ finding their best lineup is a terrifying thought for the league. If Dre can get up to 9-10 PPG this week…we could get some real Jeff Terrell dark magic.

#11 Seed: Rim Runners

I don’t have too much to say about either community team this year, so I’ll keep it short. I really like this Rim Runners team, I think they play great basketball and have been a big surprise this year. But, on stage for the first time against the best of the best? It’s a bit of an overwhelming environment to have expectations around. I think they will scrape and claw and maybe pull off an upset or two. But Shity, SwagsReturn, and Quickster should all be very proud of even getting here.

#12 Seed: Dribble Godz

 

Less to say here about Dribble Godz. Great on them for getting here, but they have been awful against 2KL teams this season. In fact, they’ve only won 3 games in 4 total series. It’s not pretty. I will be extremely impressed if they win a round.

 

#13 Seed: Bucks Gaming (10-10, .9 PD)

X-Factor: Dimez 3.62 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 69.2 3P%

 

I warned  everybody on the podcast that this Bucks team was ready to launch. Lineup consistency, a good week shooting from Johnny, and wham, you’ve got a Steal Open title and a playoff spot. To be honest, this is probably the least Steal Open-y Steal Open winner we’ve ever had. They never should’ve been there in the first place with their talent. I think Bucks Gaming have a serious run in them on either side of the bracket. They get Minnesota Round 1, so let’s get the fireworks underway.

 

#14 Seed: Knicks Gaming (12-8, .4 PD)
X-Factor: WhatsStick 5.3 ppg, .63 spg, 50.5 3P%

 

I’m extremely excited for Radiant to have a real 3v3 moment. We haven’t seen him at guard in this mode in a really long time, so this is a bit of a legacy moment for him. Not to mention, he has Whatsstick playing some incredible basketball at the lockdown spot, so a run is very possible. However, they have Gen.G in Round 1, so it may have to come from the lower bracket. I’m not sleeping on this team for a second.

 

Alright, those are our teams, my official predictions are below:

 

Final 4:

Magic Gaming
Lakers Gaming
Pistons GT
Bucks Gaming

3v3 Finals:

Magic Gaming-Pistons GT

3v3 Champion:

Magic Gaming