NBA 2K22 ratings update #1 now live: Biggest winners and losers

We’re now two weeks into the NBA season and although we’ve still got a long way to go, there’s some interesting storylines already unfolding across the league. With numerous games now played, 2K pushed out the first player ratings update for NBA 2K22.

Memphis Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant was one of the players with the biggest increases in overall rating with this first update. Now in his third year in the league, Morant has established himself as one of the premiere point guards, averaging 28.3 points per game, 5.4 rebounds and 7.7 assists. There’s nothing this guy can’t do, and he’s a big reason the Grizzlies are off to a 5-3 start to the season. As a result, Morant increased 4 points to a 89 overall. Personally, I think that’s still too low for him.

On the other side of the spectrum, we’ve got Paul George. The Los Angeles Clippers small forward has been an elite player for years, but so far this season, he’s averaging the most points of his career at 28.3 per game. And he’s doing it without the help of Kawhi Leonard. The Clippers have struggled early on, but not because of the lack of effort from Paul George. His play thus far has earned him a two point increase to his overall, bringing him up to a 90 rating.

Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns is another who has impressed on the court early this season. KAT is one of the most dominant big men in the game and this season he’s averaging 24 points, nearly 10 rebounds and four assists per game. But what’s truly impressive with him this season is his efficiency, as he’s shooting 52 percent from the field and hitting on 50 percent of his three point attempts. With this update, he now sits at an 89 overall (+2).

The last notable increase is Charlotte Hornets point guard LaMelo Ball. The youngest Ball brother has shown his Rookie of the Year award was no fluke. He’s added the long-range three to his tool kit this season and has received a boost to his three-point shooting in NBA 2K22. He’s now an 87 overall (+3).

Of course, not everyone has been off to a great start this season. James Harden has struggled early on so far. Whether its the recent rule change that discourages players from using non-basketball moves to draw foul-calls or something else, the Brooklyn Nets star is averaging only 18.3 points per game, the second-lower scoring average he’s had since the 2012-13 season. He’s only shooting 38.8% from the field. He’s now at a 92 overall rating following his two point decrease.

It’s even worse for Damian Lillard who is in the midst of the worst 9-game stretch in his career. Lillard is averaging just 17.8 points per game and is just 18-of-83 from the three-point range (27.7% on 9.2 attempts per game). Tonight was easily his worst performance of the year with just four points on 2-13 field goals and 0-6 from three point range. He dropped four points to a 90 overall with this update, but more performances like this will continue to sink his rating. Of all the ratings changes, Lillard’s -4 was the most among decreases.

Here are some of the changes with the NBA 2K22 player ratings update #1:

• Jimmy Butler: 92 OVR (+1)
• James Harden: 92 OVR (-2)
• Paul George: 90 OVR (+2)
• Damian Lillard: 90 OVR (-4)
• Ja Morant: 89 OVR (+4)
• Karl-Anthony Towns: 89 OVR (+2)
• Rudy Gobert: 89 OVR (+1)
• Devin Booker: 89 OVR (-1)
• Jayson Tatum: 89 OVR (-1)
• Chris Paul: 89 OVR (-1)
• DeMar DeRozan: 88 OVR (+3)
• Zach LaVine: 88 OVR (+1)
• LaMelo Ball: 87 OVR (+3)
• Tobias Harris: 87 OVR (+2)
• Jaylen Brown: 87 OVR (+1)
• Bam Adebayo: 87 OVR (+1)

Do you agree with the ratings changes in this update? Who do you think deserves a bigger boost or drop in overall?