Perfecting the pick & roll in NBA 2K23 has never been so crucial.

Home » Guides » How to Pick & Roll in NBA 2K23

Welcome back, 2K fans! Now, we understand that when it comes to beating a defender, things aren’t always so simple. Yet when those sticky situations arise, players can always lean on their teammates. Setting screens is a very crucial part of the NBA, but they mean nothing if executed poorly. That’s why this guide is going to break down how to pick and roll in NBA 2K23.

When it comes to executing the pick and roll in NBA 2K23, there are several tiny layers to keep in mind. But you cannot worry about all of that without nailing down the basics first.

Calling for an initial screen is very simple. All the player has to do is hold the top-left shoulder button of whichever controller they are using—L1 on PlayStation, LB on Xbox, and L on the Nintendo Switch. From there, you could even attempt an alley-oop depending on the spacing between you and your teammate. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves just yet…

When you toggle the initial screen, players have the choice to direct the player with either a roll, or fade off instead. To select a fade, hit the top-right shoulder button—R1 on PlayStation, RB on Xbox, and R on the Nintendo Switch. This may be best utilized with a strong perimeter shooter, and fortunately, there is a way to control who sets the screen.

To pick the screener, simply tap the top-left shoulder button and hold down the button that corresponds with the preferred screener. Being able to control this opens the door for invaluable upside. Say you’re looking for a big shot down the stretch—perfect, pick a shooter to fade off. Want to establish a strong paint presence? Then roll with the big men until the well runs dry.

One more tool is having the screener slip or fade early. After initially calling for the pick, tap the top-left shoulder button once more—before the screener gets hit. Once more, timing is important. If you call for a slip or fade too early, the entire purpose of the initial screen is defeated.

So there you have it, everything needed for you to master the art of the pick and roll in NBA 2K23. If you’re able to get it down to a more methodical approach, all the better. And if you like what you’re seeing, perfect! For more of our NBA 2K23 coverage, keep your eyes on Twinfinite and be sure to check out everything at the links below, including how to alley-oop, fake pass, and challenge calls.