NBA 2K27 cover snub: Jalen Brunson omission sparks backlash as 2K honors Victor Wembanyama; ‘is this a joke?’

Victor Wembanyama earned the NBA 2K27 cover despite losing the NBA Finals, a decision that surprised many fans.

Published on: Jul 23, 2026, 03:37:13 IST

By Ojas Jaiswal

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2K has officially unveiled the cover athletes for NBA 2K27, featuring three basketball stars across the game's different editions. Victor Wembanyama, Caitlin Clark, and Derrick Rose have each been selected to headline a separate version of the highly anticipated title.

Jalen Brunson was widely viewed as a strong candidate to grace the cover of NBA 2K27 but did not make the cut. (Getty Images via AFP)

Explaining the decision, Zak Armitage, SVP & GM of NBA 2K, said in a news release, “Victor Wembanyama, Caitlin Clark, and Derrick Rose each come from different worlds, but they share the same obsession that has altered the trajectory of the game.”

However, there was one notable omission that caught many fans' attention.

Jalen Brunson snubbed

Jalen Brunson, who was widely viewed as a strong candidate to grace the cover of NBA 2K27, ultimately did not make the cut.

The decision also sparked a considerable backlash on social media, with many fans expressing surprise that Jalen Brunson was left off the cover.

Fans slam NBA 2K decision

One fan voiced that frustration on X in response to NBA 2K's post unveiling the cover athletes and wrote, “Is this a joke?! Where is Jalen Brunson? You put a dirty player who lost over the FMVP? For real? Who will buy this?”

Another user shared an edited version of the cover with Brunson on it and tweeted, “What it should’ve been… NBA 2K27 — Jalen Brunson”.

One more fan added, “Where Brunson?”

Many fans found it surprising that the 29-year-old Knicks star was overlooked despite winning an NBA championship and collecting multiple individual honors throughout the season.

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Highlighting that sentiment, one fan wrote, “Jalen Brunson just won 13 awards in a single calendar year and couldn’t get a 2K cover?”

Recent winners rewarded

While recent playoff success is not the only factor that determines NBA 2K's cover athlete, championship performances have heavily influenced the selection in recent years.

Jayson Tatum earned the cover of NBA 2K25 after leading the Boston Celtics to the 2024 NBA title, while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander followed as the face of NBA 2K26 after capturing the 2025 NBA Finals MVP with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Why Brunson missed out

This time, however, Victor Wembanyama received the honor despite finishing on the losing side of the NBA Finals, a decision that surprised many fans. His global popularity and rapid rise as one of the league's biggest stars likely factored into 2K's choice.

Also read: LeBron dodges Tyrese Haliburton's free agency question as NBA insider reveals decision timeline; ‘next week…’

The Spurs star also enjoyed a superior regular season compared to Jalen Brunson, finishing significantly higher in the NBA MVP voting, which may have further strengthened his case for the cover.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ojas Jaiswal
Ojas Jaiswal is a Content Producer at Hindustan Times, currently working with the US Desk, where he covers a wide spectrum of American sports and global news developments. From high-intensity NFL moments on the field to the latest off-court NBA storylines, he specializes in delivering engaging, audience-driven stories that blend factual accuracy with compelling narratives. A graduate in Journalism and Mass Communication from Bennett University, Ojas brings over two years of experience in digital journalism. Before joining Hindustan Times, he worked with EssentiallySports, a leading digital sports media platform catering to American sports audiences, where he contributed across multiple editorial and engagement-focused roles. He also interned with Times Network at the Sports Desk, producing articles and video content across diverse sports, ranging from Formula 1 to football. Known for his commitment to factual and accurate reporting, Ojas was awarded a Certificate of Excellence in Editing during his college years. Beyond sports journalism, he closely follows international affairs and global developments, while also exploring documentaries from different cultures and regions around the world. A lifelong football enthusiast, Ojas has admired Lionel Messi since childhood and continues to draw inspiration from the football icon’s journey and legacy.Read More

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