Is there an NBA 2K cover curse? The bad luck haunting the game’s biggest stars
An NBA fan-made theory called the “2k cover curse” has too many examples to not question its veracity.
Last year, Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum was featured on the cover of NBA 2k25. Nearly one year later, Tatum suffered a ruptured right Achilles tendon during Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Although he underwent successful surgery and is expected to make a full recovery, he will be returning to the court - but not until after the 2025 season.
Jayson Tatum today underwent successful surgery to repair a ruptured right Achilles tendon. No timetable is currently available for his return, but he is expected to make a full recovery. Further updates will be provided when appropriate. pic.twitter.com/TTXziFtMQB
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) May 13, 2025
And some fans think Tatum was doomed from the start, choosing to believe an ancient NBA curse.
Is the 2k curse real?
The NBA 2k curse is a fan-made theory which suggests that players who appear on the cover of the NBA 2k video game will suffer injuries, setbacks, or disappointing seasons soon after.
While it’s mostly based on coincidence and selective examples, enough incidents have occurred to spark superstition among fans.
Alleged examples of the 2K cover curse:
- NBA 2K9 - Kevin Garnett: After winning a championship in 2008, Garnett was injured the next season and missed the 2009 playoffs.
- NBA 2K10 - Derrick Rose: Rose tore his ACL in 2012, just two years after appearing on the cover, drastically altering his career.
- NBA 2K14 – LeBron James: Though LeBron himself wasn’t injured, both Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love - his key teammates -were hurt during the 2015 Finals, contributing to a series loss.
- NBA 2K15 - Kevin Durant: Durant suffered a foot fracture and missed much of the following season.
- NBA 2K16 - Stephen Curry: The Warriors blew a 3–1 lead in the NBA Finals despite Curry’s MVP season - a historic collapse.
- NBA 2K17 - Paul George: PG had a disappointing postseason, exiting in the first round.
- NBA 2K18 - Kyrie Irving: Irving suffered a knee injury and missed the playoffs with the Celtics.
And now Tatum has joined the group.
While the “curse” is likely a mix of coincidence and confirmation bias, it’s gained traction because of the high-profile nature of these injuries and underperformances. Most years, the 2K cover athlete is a top-tier NBA star. And with the physical demands of the league, injuries are inevitable for some. But as long as it keeps happening like this, fans will always question the curse itself.
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