If you're looking to dominate on the court and get open quickly in NBA 2K25, this guide is going to break down the best dribble moves and combos you can use to outplay your defenders. These moves are designed to give you an edge, whether you're playing with screens or isolating. Let's dive in!
Dribble Moves Setup
Before we start, make sure your controller settings are optimized:
- Pro Stick Orientation: Set this to Absolute.
- Pass Dribble Hand Switches: Disable this setting to ensure more precise control.
If you're not at Starter 4 and don’t have access to certain moves, no worries! I'll give you solid alternatives to use in the meantime.
Signature Size-Up
- Best Option: Darius Garland or Steve Francis.
- Alternative: Trae Young if you're not at Starter 4 or if Garland feels too prone to bump steals.
Crossover
- Best Option: De'Aaron Fox.
- Alternative: Devin Booker works great if you don’t have access to Fox yet.
Escape Options
- Best Option: Zach LaVine.
- Alternative: Luka Dončić, if you're not a fan of LaVine.
Dribble Combos and Tutorials
Here are the best dribble combos in NBA 2K25, complete with breakdowns and tips to master them.
The Lowry Slide
Why It’s Effective:
This move is simple yet devastatingly effective. It works great with screens, creating wide-open opportunities for mid-range shots, threes, or a drive to the basket.
How to Do It:
- Equip the Lowry Hop Jumper animation.
- While running right, hold RT (R2) and push the right stick to the left. Then, immediately run back to the left.
- While running left, hold RT (R2) and push the right stick to the right, then run back to the right.
Pro Tip: The angle of your left stick determines how fast you’ll speed boost out of the animation. A more horizontal angle gives you the fastest boost.
The Push Peak
Why It’s Effective:
This quick stop move off the push dribble is nearly impossible to guard. It’s fast, unpredictable, and gives you a clean look at the basket.
How to Do It:
- Start a push dribble (flick the right stick up while holding RT/R2) behind half court.
- Perform the push dribble at a slight angle, not straight forward.
- To shoot out of the dribble, push and hold the right stick diagonally (down or up) to the opposite side you're running.
Pro Tip: Use this move when crossing half-court in 3v3 games for maximum effectiveness. Timing is key—start the push dribble just as you're about to cross half-court for a quick transition.
Curry Escape Cancel
Why It’s Effective:
This cancel move eliminates delays in your animations, allowing for instant speed boosts out of your Curry Escape.
How to Do It:
- Perform a Curry Escape (hold RT/R2 and flick the right stick to the opposite ball hand).
- Immediately after the first flick, flick the right stick again in the same direction.
- Run out of the animation after the second flick.
Pro Tip: Use this cancel to keep your defender guessing and create quick separation. Practice using it in different directions to master control.
Escape Spam
Why It’s Effective:
This move keeps your defender shifting and creates opportunities to drive to the basket or shoot.
How to Do It:
- Perform a Curry Escape (flick the right stick to the opposite ball hand while holding RT/R2).
- Follow it with a hesitation:
- If the ball is in your left hand, flick the right stick left.
- If the ball is in your right hand, flick the right stick right.
- Combine these moves by flicking the right stick back and forth:
- Right, right, left, left, right, right, left, left.
Pro Tip: You don’t have to spam this move—just use it once or twice to bait the defender into shifting before attacking.
L2 Cancel (No L2 Required)
Why It’s Effective:
A versatile move that works in any situation—whether you’re isoing or using screens. This combo will leave defenders sliding all over the court.
How to Do It:
- Start with your signature size-up (flick the right stick in any direction without holding RT/R2).
- As the ball hits the ground, hold RT/R2 and flick the right stick diagonally to the opposite side.
Pro Tip: Timing is everything! If you get the wrong animation, it means you’re flicking too late or too early. Master this move to spam it up the court and beat defensive presses.
Escape into Booker Crab
Why It’s Effective:
This move glitches you right in front of your defender, making it nearly impossible for them to contest your shot.
How to Do It:
- Perform an Escape twice (flick the right stick to the opposite side of the ball hand while holding RT/R2).
- Follow with a Devin Booker crab by flicking the right stick up.
Pro Tip: Use this move to create space or drive to the basket. Chain it with other moves for devastating combos.
Behind the Back Spam
Why It’s Effective:
This move is perfect for dancing around screens or confusing defenders in isolation.
How to Do It:
- Perform a behind-the-back move:
- If the ball is in your left hand, flick the right stick down diagonal right.
- If the ball is in your right hand, flick the right stick down diagonal left.
- Repeat the motion, alternating sides:
- Right, down diagonal left → Left, down diagonal right → Repeat.
Pro Tip: Start slow, then gradually speed up your inputs to master the spam. Use it to create space for open shots or drive opportunities.
Mastering these dribble moves in NBA 2K25 will take your game to the next level, whether you're playing park, 3v3, or Pro-Am. Practice these combos in the Gatorade Training Facility or MyCourt to get the timing down.
