NBA 2K23 Controls Guide: Offense and Defense controls for Xbox & PlayStation (2024)

Using a proper NBA 2K23 controls guide could be the difference between winning and losing in this years game.

We're going to go over exactly what you'll need to do on both PlayStation and Xbox systems with our basic controls guide below.

NBA 2K23 Controls Guide

The launch of the game means that several new players will need an NBA 2K23 controls guide to help them get used to the game.

Since there are several new controls, we're going to start with a basic guide and we'll get into details as the launch continues.

We'll break this piece down by platforms, first starting with the Xbox basic controls. Many of the controls are the same but the important parts include knowing how to operate the off-ball mechanics.

Let's get started with our basic NBA 2K23 controls guide on Xbox.

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NBA 2K23 Xbox Controls Guide

Getting started with Xbox, the basic controls are pretty similar to last year but the Pro Stick is a lot more useful this year.

We'll get into more Pro Stick NBA 2K23 controls later so first, let's take a look at the offense controls for when you have the ball.

There's also the Coach's Challenge that will let you call for a challenge right after the play happens instead of navigating the main menu.

On Ball Xbox controls (Offense)

• Move Player - Left Stick
• Pro Stick - Right Stick
• On The Fly Coaching - Directional Pad
• Call Play - Left Bumper
• Post Up - Left Trigger
• Call Timeout / Coach's Challenge - View Button
• Pause - Menu Button
• Sprint - Right Trigger
• Icon Pass - Right Bumper
• Shoot - X / Pro Stick
• Lob Pass - Y
• Bounce Pass - B
• Pass - A

Here are the off-ball controls for the offense on Xbox

• Move Player - Left Stick
• Pro Stick - Right Stick
• On The Fly Coaching - Directional Pad
• Call For Screen - Left Bumper
• Post Up - Left Trigger
• Call Timeout / Coach's Challenge - View Button
• Pause - Menu Button
• Sprint - Right Trigger
• Tell Teammate To Shoot - X
• Call For Alley-oop - Y
• Quick Screen - B
• Call For Pass - A

NBA 2K23 Control Guide on Xbox (Defense)

The defensive NBA 2K23 controls are pretty simple this year as well but the pro stick will also play a larger role in this game.

Most controls remained the same, allowing you to use A to perform steals instead of using the analog stick.

Remember an important aspect of the NBA 2K23 controls on defense is to take advantage of On The Fly Coaching. This will allow you to adjust to opposing defenses with ease, so take advantage of it.

On Ball Xbox controls (Defense)

• Move Player - Left Stick
• Hands Up - Right Stick
• On The Fly Coaching - Directional Pad
• Double Team - Left Bumper
• Intense-D - Left Trigger
• Intentional Foul - View Button
• Pause - Menu Button
• Sprint - Right Trigger
• Icon Swap - Right Bumper
• Steal - X
• Block / Rebound - Y
• Take Charge - B
• Player Swap (Closest To Ball) - A

Here are the controls for off-ball defense in NBA 2K23:

• Move Player - Left Stick
• On-ball Steal - Right Stick
• On The Fly Coaching - Directional Pad
• Double Team - Left Bumper
• Intense-D - Left Trigger
• Intentional Foul - View Button
• Pause - Menu Button
• Sprint - Right Trigger
• Icon Swap - Right Bumper
• Steal - X
• Block / Rebound - Y
• Take Charge - B
• Player Swap (Closest To Ball) - A

Now that we've covered the NBA 2K23 controls on Xbox, let's take a look at the controls on PlayStation.

NBA 2K23 PlayStation Controls Guide

As we mentioned above, the NBA 2K23 controls on PlayStation are similar to the Xbox controls just with different button designations.

We'd suggest that everyone get comfortable with the Pro Stick as well and we put together a piece on the new dunking mechanics here.

We're going to get started with the offensive NBA 2K23 controls first, this way you can get familiar with any of the changes you see.

On Ball PlayStation Controls (Offense)

• Move Player - Left Stick
• Pro Stick - Right Stick
• On The Fly Coaching - Directional Pad
• Call Play - L1
• Post Up - L2
• Call Timeout / Coach's Challenge - Share Button
• Pause - Menu Button
• Sprint - R2
• Icon Pass - R1
• Shoot - Sqaure / Pro Stick
• Lob Pass - Triangle
• Bounce Pass - Circle
• Pass - X

Here are the off-ball controls for the offense on Xbox

• Move Player - Left Stick
• Pro Stick - Right Stick
• On The Fly Coaching - Directional Pad
• Call For Screen - L1
• Post Up - L2
• Call Timeout / Coach's Challenge - Share Button
• Pause - Menu Button
• Sprint - R2
• Tell Teammate To Shoot - Square
• Call For Alley-oop - Triangle
• Quick Screen - Circle
• Call For Pass - X

NBA 2K23 Control Guide on PlayStation (Defense)

Defense is going to be a very important aspect of this year's game so be focused on learning the proper NBA 2K23 controls to use.

Keep a note of the best plays to run with On The Fly Coaching and get used to the various defensive sets as well. You don't always have to run man-to-man defenses.

Most players haven't been able to get on the game yet which will give you some time to get used to the NBA 2K23 controls.

On Ball PlayStation controls (Defense)

• Move Player - Left Stick
• Hands Up - Right Stick
• On The Fly Coaching - Directional Pad
• Double Team - L1
• Intense-D - L2
• Intentional Foul - Touchpad
• Pause - Menu Button
• Sprint - R2
• Icon Swap - R1
• Steal - Square
• Block / Rebound - Triangle
• Take Charge - Circle
• Player Swap (Closest To Ball) - X

Here are the controls for off-ball defense in NBA 2K23:

• Move Player - Left Stick
• On-ball Steal - Right Stick
• On The Fly Coaching - Directional Pad
• Double Team - L1
• Intense-D - L2
• Intentional Foul - Touchpad
• Pause - Menu Button
• Sprint - R2
• Icon Swap - R1
• Steal - Square
• Block / Rebound - Triangle
• Take Charge - Circle
• Player Swap (Closest To Ball) - X

If any of the NBA 2K23 controls are changed or updated, we'll be sure to keep you up to speed with everything there is to know.