NBA 2K18 is less than a month away from its Early Tip-Off Edition release date, with the standard version set a few days after. As the release date slowly creeps onto our calendars, 2K Sports has announced that the 1996 Miami Heat and 1998 New York Knicks will be featured in the upcoming title.
#NBA2K18 New Classic Team Match-up #1! 96 Heat vs 98 Knicks. Who wins #2KClassicTeamTournament? Teams revealed 8/25 https://t.co/jVNTRh4wRB
— NBA 2K 2K18 (@NBA2K) August 15, 2017
Despite the full roster of the classic teams currently being unavailable, the publisher has confirmed that the full lineup will be revealed on Friday, August 25th.
During the team’s ninth season in the league, the Heat went 61-21 during the 1996-1997 season; their season would fall just one game shy of winning the championship as they lost to Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls in game five of the Eastern Conference Finals. Several key players from that season include Alonzo Mourning and Tim Haraway.
During the 1998-1999 season, the New York Knicks finished 27-23. Unfortunately, their season ended in game five of the of the NBA finals, losing to Tim Duncan and the San Antonio Spurs. Several crucial players from the roster include Latrell Sprewell and Patrick Ewing.
If you would like more information, you can check out this year’s cover reveal, as well as the list of songs that will be featured in the game.
NBA 2K18 releases on September 19th for PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox 360. However, if you pre-ordered the game, you will have access to the title on September 15th.
Update: 2K Games has announced on Twitter today that two additional classic teams are coming to NBA 2K18; the 2005 and 2012 Memphis Grizzlies.
#NBA2K18 New Classic Team Match-up #2! 06 Grizzlies vs 13 Grizzlies. Who wins #2KClassicTeamTournament? https://t.co/ieqYNIWWDC
— NBA 2K 2K18 (@NBA2K) August 16, 2017