NBA 2K25 predicts the season: Celtics slip, Luka Dončić is MVP and a brand new champion is topped
Following within the footsteps of Faculty Soccer 25 and Madden, we’re simulating a whole NBA season within the just lately launched NBA 2K25. The NBA 2K sequence has been the cream of the crop in relation to basketball simulation video video games for practically 20 years now and has cemented itself in each gaming and hoops tradition.
Since that is our first-ever NBA 2K simulation, let’s clarify the way it labored:
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We simulated from the MyEras mode (2K’s model of franchise) beginning within the Trendy Period, with present rosters and the NBA Cup in-season match.
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We had been required to pick a group to manage through the simulation and randomly selected the Los Angeles Clippers.
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All default MyEras settings had been left intact.
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CPU commerce gives had been disabled — though the Pacers and Pistons each tried to commerce for the Clippers’ Norman Powell earlier than the change was made.
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All G-League, prospect scouting and rotational selections had been set to automated.
Retaining that in thoughts, let’s leap proper right into a recap of how the digital 2024-25 NBA season performed out.
Mavericks end with NBA’s finest report
A yr after shedding to the Celtics within the 2024 Finals, the Mavericks had been the category of the NBA. They completed with a league-best 63-19 report, edging out the Knicks (62-20), who had the highest report within the Jap Convention.
Jason Kidd was named NBA Coach of the Yr for main the Mavericks to the second-best win whole in franchise historical past (Dallas went 67-15 in 2006-07). We’ll go away it at that, as a result of there’s loads extra to speak about in relation to the Mavericks.
LeBron, Bronny and the Lakers have lengthy season
Bronny James didn’t play a single minute within the 2K simulation — which appears extraordinarily unlikely to occur when the season really ideas off subsequent month. On the other finish of the spectrum, LeBron James performed in all 82 video games (once more, virtually actually will not occur contemplating he’ll be 40 in December and in his twenty second NBA season).
LeBron completed the season averaging 21.9 factors, 6.9 rebounds and seven assists in a shade below half-hour per sport. The MPG can be the bottom of his profession and the factors common can be the bottom since his rookie yr in 2003-04. On the defensive finish, he did contribute 2.3 shares, an uptick from his prior two seasons in Los Angeles. The Lakers as a group completed 42-40, good for eighth within the Western Convention and a spot within the play-in match.
Path Blazers end at backside of standings
Staying within the West, Portland managed to have the worst report within the NBA within the 2K simulation, ending 24-58 on the season. If this had been to occur, it could really be a three-win enchancment over the 21-61 report the Blazers had in 2023-24.
Nonetheless, it could additionally mark the fourth consecutive shedding season in Portland — the longest such streak for the franchise because the 1970-71 via 1975-76 seasons. Fortunately for the Blazers, the 2025 draft class is loaded.
Large win for the Windy Metropolis
In a stunning consequence, the Chicago Bulls defeated the Phoenix Suns to win the NBA Cup, the league’s second annual in-season match. Zach LaVine, who missed the second half of the 2023-24 season with a foot damage, completed with a game-high 33 factors within the championship sport that resulted in a 122-93 blowout.
Outdated faces, new locations
From the slew of big-name strikes the previous offseason, solely Paul George managed to not see a comparatively vital decline within the simulation. The 76ers‘ latest star completed the season averaging 22.7 factors, 5.2 rebounds and 4.3 assists, which was proper in keeping with his 2023-24 numbers with the Clippers.
So far as Klay Thompson‘s first season away from Golden State, the previous Splash Bro managed to play in all 82 video games (which might be solely the second time in his profession), however his 15.9 factors per sport in Dallas would mark his lowest common since his rookie season. Dejounte Murray (Pelicans), Mikal Bridges (Knicks) and DeMar DeRozan (Kings) all noticed dips in manufacturing, too.
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Wembanyama turns into first-time All-Star, DPOY
Victor Wembanyama made the All-Star sport for the primary time in his profession within the simulation and coasted to his first DPOY trophy after ending second in DPOY voting as a rookie. The Spurs’ sophomore sensation led the NBA in blocks (3.2 BPG) and added 1.5 steals per sport. He additionally paced the Affiliation in rebounding (13.2 RPG), serving to San Antonio end 41-41 (plus-19 wins from 2023-24).
A Rookie of the Yr shock
Timberwolves guard Rob Dillingham gained the Rookie of the Yr award, averaging 10.2 factors, 1.3 rebounds and a pair of.2 assists in his first yr in Minnesota taking part in alongside Anthony Edwards.
Dillingham, who was the eighth general choose within the 2024 draft, additionally made the NBA’s All-Rookie first group alongside Zaccharie Risacher (Hawks), Alex Sarr (Wizards), Reed Sheppard (Rockets) and Timberwolves teammate Terrence Shannon Jr.
However the greatest shock? Boston bounced early
As a lot as a 62-win Knicks group would upend New York Metropolis and the NBA as an entire, that wasn’t the most important shock within the simulation. That doubtful honor belongs to the defending champion Boston Celtics, who someway managed to complete 40-42 (a 24-win drop from 2023-24) and ninth within the Jap Convention. Boston managed to advance out of the play-in match however was rapidly bounced from the playoffs. We’ll file this below “extraordinarily unlikely to occur.”
Three legendary PGs name it a profession
Following their seasons, three well-known level guards determined to hold ’em up: Chris Paul (Spurs), Russell Westbrook (Nuggets) and Kyle Lowry (76ers). When the simulated season started, I used to be prompted about Paul’s determination and requested to permit a “retirement tour” for the 12-time All-Star. Paul helped San Antonio enhance to .500, however completed his profession with out an NBA championship.
All three veterans promptly had their numbers retired within the simulation by their former groups, with the Clippers retiring Paul’s No. 3, Thunder retiring Westbrook’s No. 0 and Raptors retiring Lowry’s No. 7. Toronto and Los Angeles had been the one two NBA franchises with no retired quantity (excluding Invoice Russell’s league-wide No. 6).
Luka earns his first MVP
Luka Dončić captured the primary MVP award of his profession by practically averaging a triple-double for the season. Dončić led the NBA in scoring (30.8 PPG), was ninth in rebounding (11.1 RPG) and second in assists (9.8 APG), all whereas compiling a 50/84/42 capturing break up.
And the 2024-25 NBA Champion is …
The Dallas Mavericks.
It was a really chalky highway to the NBA Finals, with the highest two seeds in each conferences squaring off for the Larry O’Brien Trophy. Regardless of only one win separating the Mavericks and Knicks within the common season, the NBA Finals had been an entire blowout — with Dallas sweeping New York to take residence the second NBA title in franchise historical past.
Dončić added to his trophy case by securing the Invoice Russell NBA Finals MVP award, averaging 34.5 factors, 13.2 rebounds and 11.5 assists on 50/89.5/46.7 capturing within the first Finals sweep because the 2017-18 season.
