If you’re running a Point Guard or Shooting Guard build in NBA 2K26, chances are your go-to move is fading left and right behind screens all day. But if that’s been your bread and butter, it’s time to rethink your strategy — because the latest NBA 2K26 update has officially made pull-up fadeaway jump shots harder to hit.

This marks Visual Concepts’ first gameplay-focused patch for NBA 2K26. While it mainly prepares the game for Season 2’s launch on October 17, it introduces several significant gameplay adjustments that will immediately affect how players approach the Park, Pro-Am, and REC. Let’s break down the biggest changes and what they mean for your builds.

Fadeaway Jump Shots Get Nerfed

According to the official patch notes, the devs have:

“Increased the difficulty of making pull-up fadeaway jump shots, based on community feedback.”

If you’ve been playing NBA 2K26 since launch, you already know how dominant 6’8” SG builds or sniper PG builds with Gold Shifty Shooter have been — fading away behind a screen and draining contested jumpers like clockwork. This single move has warped the meta, making defensive contests nearly impossible for bigs and slower guards.

With this update, that era might finally be coming to an end. Fadeaways aren’t gone entirely — skilled players will still find ways to green those shots — but the patch ensures that players who’ve been spamming the fade animation without proper timing or space will be punished more often. This change promotes a more balanced offensive meta, rewarding versatile shot creation and intelligent playmaking rather than repetitive isolation fades.

Ghost Contests Finally Addressed

This next change might actually be the most important fix in the entire update.

“Adjusted shot contest logic to reduce inappropriately high coverage scores (‘ghost contests’) when not actively contesting shots.”

If you’ve ever been in the Park or REC and seen a 21% contested label appear on what looked like a wide-open jumper, you know exactly how frustrating ghost contests have been. Players were getting punished for simply having defenders somewhere nearby, even when no contest animation was triggered.

This update finally fixes that issue. Now, only active contests will register, meaning your spacing, ankle breakers, and screen plays will finally get the open looks they deserve. It’s a major improvement that makes NBA 2K26 feel more responsive and skill-based on both ends of the court.

Rhythm Shooting Tightened for Greater Precision

Before diving into this update, it’s worth understanding how Rhythm Shooting works in NBA 2K26.

Instead of using the traditional shot meter, rhythm shooting relies on right-stick motion and muscle memory. You pull down the stick to start your jumper, then push it back up at the player’s set point (usually when their elbow hits 90 degrees). It’s a more natural way to shoot — but also much harder to master.

Here’s what’s changing:

· Improved input reliability: Rhythm shooting will now register inputs more consistently, reducing lag or misreads from analog flicks.

· Tightened timing window: The release window is now narrower, meaning shots are more consistent but also less forgiving.

The result? Shooting feels smoother and more realistic, but precision matters more than ever. Players who rely on instinct and rhythm rather than the meter will need to refine their touch to stay efficient.

Additional Gameplay Improvements

Outside the headline shooting changes, this patch includes a variety of tweaks and fixes that enhance realism and defensive control:

· Improved ball collision detection: The ball will no longer clip through defenders during dribble sequences or steal attempts, making defense more rewarding.

· Dribbling upgrades: Players can now cancel standing in-and-outs, and unwanted behind-the-back escapes during stepbacks have been corrected.

· Visual updates: Several players and coaches received likeness updates, including refined hair physics and tattoo adjustments for improved authenticity.

While these might seem like small updates, they collectively help NBA 2K26 feel smoother, fairer, and more closely aligned with real basketball dynamics.

Should You Adjust or Create a New Build?

Now for the million-dollar question: Do you need to change your build?

The short answer — not yet.

The fadeaway nerf doesn’t kill tall guard builds or scoring guards in general. Instead, it forces players to diversify their offensive arsenals. If you’ve been relying exclusively on fades, it’s time to mix in stepbacks, hop steps, pull-ups, and side steps to keep defenders guessing.

Wait until the community adjusts to the patch before scrapping your build. Once the dust settles, we’ll have a clearer view of which playstyles remain dominant heading into Season 2.

Patch Release Dates

The pre–Season 2 update is now live on:

· PlayStation 5

· Xbox Series X|S

PC players will receive the same patch on October 17, coinciding with the launch of NBA 2K26 Season 2.

Final Thoughts

This update marks a major shift for NBA 2K26’s meta. By toning down fadeaways and addressing ghost contests, Visual Concepts is sending a clear message: skill and shot variety matter again.

The new rhythm shooting tweaks and defensive improvements ensure that the game rewards players who put time into learning timing, spacing, and creativity. With Season 2 around the corner, the stage is set for a more balanced and competitive 2K experience — and the real test begins when everyone hits the court after the patch.