NBA 2K League Week 5 Preview
June 23, 2021
IT’S A (630) THING: Pacers Gaming point guard Xavier “630” Barraza was named NBA 2K League Player of the Week for Week 4 of the 2021 NBA 2K League season. Currently ranked second in scoring (34.1), the No. 2 overall pick has led Pacers Gaming to a league-best 11 wins. In a standout performance in Week 4, Barraza tallied 48 points and seven assists in their 94-54 win over Lakers Gaming on June 18. Fun fact: Barraza’s gamertag is the area code for his hometown (Aurora, Illinois).
EASTERN CONFERENCE SHOWDOWN: Two of the top teams in the Eastern Conference will meet on Friday, June 25 at 7 p.m. ET when Grizz Gaming (9-1) visits Wizards District Gaming (9-3). Led by point guard Zach “Vandi” Vandivier (27.1 PPG, 10.0 APG), Grizz Gaming enters the match on a six-game winning streak while Wizards District Gaming enters on a five-game winning streak. Wizards District Gaming, the 2020 NBA 2K League Champions, is steered by veteran center Ryan “Dayfri” Conger (18.8 PPG, 9.7 APG) and impressive point guard John “JBM” Mascone (24.8 PPG,10.2 APG).
THE HEAT IS STILL ON: With two wins in Week 4, Heat Check Gaming extended its winning streak to six games. Ranked second in assists (12.8) and 10th in scoring (25.3), point guard Sav “SAV” Valge-Saar has continued to impress in his second season. The Toronto-native was acquired in a trade with Lakers Gaming on the night of the 2021 NBA 2K League Draft. Valge-Saar and Heat Check Gaming will host the Gen.G Tigers of Shanghai tonight at 9 p.m. ET.
FAMILIAR FACES: Kings Guard Gaming will host Blazer5 Gaming in the NBA 2K League “Game of the Week” on Friday, June 25 at 10 p.m. ET. During the offseason, the two teams agreed upon a trade that swapped point guards Nidal “Mama Im Dat Man” Nasser and Matthew “Bash” Robles. As a member of Blazer5 Gaming, Nasser enjoyed a stellar career that was highlighted by earning the NBA 2K League Most Valuable Player award in 2019. In his first season with Blazer5 Gaming, Robles has been impressive with averages of 33.7 points and 8.9 assists.
Two starting players from each team will be available to media via Zoom on Thursday, June 24 – Blazer5 Gaming (1 – 1:15 p.m. ET), Kings Guard Gaming (1:20 – 1:35 p.m. ET). Media interested in attending Zoom availabilities must RSVP to Devon Garden (dgarden@nba.com).
TRADE SEASON: The second trade window for the 2021 season, which opened at the start of the 2021 Draft on March 13, will officially close on Monday, July 26 at 5 p.m. ET. Earlier this week, Bucks Gaming and 76ers GC finalized a trade that sent veteran scorer and member of the inaugural draft class, Aaron “Arooks” Rookwood, and a 2022 third-round pick to 76ers GC. In exchange, Bucks Gaming received the No. 12 overall pick in the 2021 Draft, Robert “Caliraq” Ruiz, and a 2022 first-round pick.