NBA THE RUN Endings Guide: How to Unlock Every Ending

How Many Endings Are There?

NBA THE RUN features three distinct endings that depend on your performance during the final stretch of the story campaign. Unlike traditional RPGs, the game does not use branching dialogue trees. Instead, your ending is determined by a combination of your win-loss record, your star player's individual stats, and a specific choice made during the final match. Understanding these conditions is key to seeing everything the game has to offer.

The three endings are: the Standard Ending, the Bad Ending, and the True Ending. Each offers a unique cutscene and a different final reward. You can unlock all endings on a single save file by replaying the final chapter, but the game does not have a chapter select. You will need to restart the campaign from the beginning if you want to change your overall record.

Standard Ending

The Standard Ending is the most common conclusion and occurs when you meet the basic requirements for completing the campaign. You must win the final championship match against the final boss team, but you do not need to fulfill any special conditions. This ending shows your team celebrating on the iconic streetball court, with a brief montage of your best plays.

To trigger the Standard Ending:

• Win the final match of the campaign.
• Do not meet the conditions for the Bad or True Ending.
• Your overall win-loss record can be anything above 50%.

This ending rewards you with a standard player card pack and a moderate amount of in-game currency. It is the default outcome for most first-time players who focus on simply winning games.

Bad Ending

The Bad Ending is triggered if you lose the final championship match. This is the only ending that does not require a victory. If you fall short in the final game, the game will show a somber cutscene where your team walks off the court in defeat, and the rival team celebrates. The narrative implies that your crew has lost its chance at glory, and the season ends on a bitter note.

Conditions for the Bad Ending:

• Lose the final match of the campaign.
• No other conditions matter.

This ending provides the smallest rewards: a single common player card and a very small currency bonus. It is primarily intended for players who are struggling or who want to see the full range of narrative outcomes. You can intentionally lose the final game to unlock this ending quickly.

True Ending

The True Ending is the most rewarding and requires the most effort. To unlock it, you must meet three strict conditions during your entire campaign, culminating in the final match.

• Win all regular season games: You cannot lose any match leading up to the final. This includes all side challenges and exhibition games. A single loss will lock you out of the True Ending.
• Achieve a triple-double with your created player in the final match: Your created star must record at least 10 points, 10 assists, and 10 rebounds in the championship game. This requires careful stat management and a well-balanced build.
• Select the "Go for Glory" dialogue option: During a specific cutscene just before the final tip-off, you will be given a choice. You must pick the option that says "Go for Glory" to commit to the True Ending path. Choosing any other option will default you to the Standard Ending, even if you meet the other conditions.

If you satisfy all three, the True Ending plays a longer cinematic featuring your team hoisting the trophy in a rain of confetti, with unique commentary from the in-game announcers. You will also unlock a special cosmetic item for your player and a large currency bonus.

How to Replay and Unlock All Endings

Since NBA THE RUN does not have a chapter select, you will need to start a new campaign to attempt a different ending. The game allows multiple save slots, so you can keep a file for each ending. The fastest way to see all three is to:

1. First playthrough: Play normally and win the final match. This gives you the Standard Ending.
2. Second playthrough: Intentionally lose the final match. This gives you the Bad Ending.
3. Third playthrough: Focus on winning every game and building a versatile player. Aim for the triple-double in the final match and choose "Go for Glory." This gives you the True Ending.

Each playthrough takes roughly 2-3 hours depending on your skill level. Use the beginner guide to speed up your runs.

Final Tips for the True Ending

Achieving the True Ending is the ultimate challenge in NBA THE RUN. Here are some specific strategies to help you secure the triple-double:

• Build a balanced character: Focus on attributes like Speed, Passing, and Rebounding. Avoid pure scoring builds.
• Play team basketball: Use passing plays to rack up assists. Call for picks and drive to the basket for points.
• Crash the boards: Position your player near the rim on both offense and defense to grab rebounds.
• Manage the clock: In the final match, do not rush. Take your time to ensure you hit all three stat targets before the game ends.

For more details on character builds, check our character builds guide. If you are struggling with the final boss team, the boss guide can help you prepare.