Thoughts and Observations From NBA 2K League Week 5 - NBA 2K League

Thoughts and Observations From NBA 2K League Week 5

It’s tough to find constants through the first five weeks of the NBA 2K League season. Almost no teams have been able to establish themselves as consistent performers week after week. However, the team that stood tall at the end of Season 3 is beginning to separate itself from the pack.

Hot Champs

The hottest team in the NBA 2K League happens to be the defending champs. After an impressive sweep of Grizz Gaming in Week 5, Wizards District Gaming has won seven games in a row. They have improved their record to a league-best 11-3, and it’s official; Dayfri and Co. are looking downright scary. 

Grizz Gaming was my No. 1 team on the power rankings heading into this week, so to see WDG defeat them by a total of 29 points through two games, made perhaps the strongest statement of the season. 

JBM averaged 26.5 points and 11.5 assists per-game in the series. Dayfri was solid as usual, Just Awkward’s defense was again spectacular, as he helped harass Vandi into shooting 6-for-15 from three-point range. Brich was perhaps the unsung hero in this series, as he was on fire from deep. He drained nine of his 13 attempts from three. WDG will get two tests from Pistons GT and a resurgent Magic Gaming squad in Week 6, but things are looking good for the defending champs.

SAV is 99 Proof

After a shaky start to the season, Heat Check Gaming’s SAV is looking like a candidate to push 630 for MVP. In two games against Gen.G Tigers of Shanghai, SAV scored 99 points combined. HCG’s seven-game winning streak was snapped, but SAV’s brilliance this week is still noteworthy.

In the opening game of the series, he produced what was one – if not the best – individual performance of the season. He scored 45 points with nine assists on 19-of-25 shooting from the field and 5-of-8 from long range. What’s most impressive about SAV’s performance was the fact that he had just one turnover.

No thanks to the slow start the team endured early this season, HCG is still stuck at .500 with an 8-8 record, but they aren’t at the top of the list of teams their peers want to face right now. Famous Enough’s crew have a bye in Week 6, so we’ll see if they can maintain their flow against Celtics Crossover Gaming and Nets GC.

Bucks Gaming Break the Cycle

Somebody, queue Etta James’ “At Last.” Google it.

After a blockbuster trade that saw Bucks Gaming trade the original 102 member, and face-of-the-franchise ARooks to 76ers GC for Caliraq, the deer didn’t just win their first game, they swept the series with Mavs Gaming.

Led by a man I’m tempted to dub “Resurgent Regg,” Bucks Gaming notched wins of 11 and four points over Dimez and Co. Regg averaged 32.5 points in the series and got some help from Lotty, who had 20 points in Game 2.

Can the Bucks keep it going in Week 6 against Celtics Crossover Gaming and Pistons GT?

DJLayyy’s Debut

Speaking of the Celtics, we saw the debut of DJLayyy. She was the second woman ever drafted into the NBA 2K League, so seeing her take the virtual court marked a bit of history. 

Unfortunately, the lineup change didn’t produce the best results for the Celtics. They finished 1-3 including a sweep at the hands of Nets GC and a split with Knicks Gaming which included a 30-point loss in Game 1. 

Layyy struggled from three, making just 11 of 37 long-range attempts. Celtics Crossover Gaming is still looking for answers overall.

Perfect Magic

Well, someone had a productive bye week.

After having no games on the Week 4 schedule, Magic Gaming came through with a perfect 4-0 Week 5. Reizey was strong as he led his team to sweeps over Cavs Legion GC and a crestfallen Hawks Talon GC squad. 

Reizey had 40 points and 10 assists in Magic Gaming’s final win over Hawks Talon GC as the team powered over .500. Week 6 is going to be the ultimate test for Magic Gaming. They have a series against Grizz Gaming and the defending champion WDG squad. If Magic Gaming can emerge 2-2, they will have represented themselves well. Anything better than .500 will launch them upward in the power rankings. 

What’s Wrong With T-Wolves Gaming?

Through the first few weeks of the season it looked as though T-Wolves Gaming might be the team to beat this year. They still might be when it is all said and done. However, we’re starting to see some cracks.

Bear Da Beast and the rest of the squad lost two close ones to Cavs Legion GC on Wednesday before splitting with Warriors Gaming Squad on Thursday. The team looked to be a bit flustered as well during the first series, as tensions seemed to rise after the second game went to overtime. It came after Kaii’s flick-up hit the front of the iron and the game went into a third overtime, which T-Wolves Gaming would lose.

Kaii and Big Saint’s body language was less than ideal throughout the game while Bear, Slaughter and Myles mostly remained calm during the tense contests. Is something amiss with the chemistry? It is hard to tell, but losing exposes the cracks in a foundation. T-Wolves Gaming get Gen.G Tigers of Shanghai and Mavs Gaming in Week 6, and they could use a turnaround.


Brian Mazique is a life-long hoops junkie and a fan of the NBA 2K franchise since its inception in 1999. Professionally, he has a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication, and has covered sports and video games for the past 15 years for a variety of platforms, including Bleacher Report, Forbes, and Heavy.com. The views on this page are that of this writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of the NBA 2K League or its clubs.