For the Calling Quick Plays drill, press Up on the D-pad and complete one called play in each state: your ball, Trace Miller's ball, and off the ball. Running Mate co-op is optional.
To complete Running Mate Quick Plays, open the play menu with Up on the D-pad and finish one called play in each of the three possession states: Your Ball, Running Mate's Ball, and Off the Ball. This input and checklist are visible in current release-build footage and repeated in current player reports; 2K's official pages document the broader Running Mate system but do not publish this drill's button sequence.
Complete the three Quick Play objectives
Call one completed play in each possession state
Check possession before opening the menu; repeating the same state does not fill the other objectives.
- 01Your BallMyPLAYER holds ball → D-pad Up → finish play
- 02Running Mate's BallTrace holds ball → D-pad Up → finish play
- 03Off the BallGive up possession → D-pad Up → finish action
- 04Checklist 3 / 3Verify which line changed after each possession
Read the route as text
- Your BallMyPLAYER holds ball → D-pad Up → finish play
- Running Mate's BallTrace holds ball → D-pad Up → finish play
- Off the BallGive up possession → D-pad Up → finish action
- Checklist 3 / 3Verify which line changed after each possession
The drill appears as Calling Quick Plays during the G League portion of MyCAREER. The checklist asks for one completed play in each state.
| Objective | What to do |
|---|---|
| Your Ball | Keep possession with your MyPLAYER, press Up on the D-pad, select a quick play, and finish the action. |
| Running Mate's Ball | Pass to Trace Miller first, press Up on the D-pad while he has possession, call a play, and complete it. |
| Off the Ball | Give up possession, move off the ball, press Up on the D-pad, call the available off-ball action, and finish the play. |
The observed input is for a controller. If you changed the controller layout, use the binding that opens the quick-play menu. The cited sources do not establish a default keyboard key, so this page does not invent one.
If one objective stays at 0/1
Check the possession state before opening the menu. Calling the same play three times while your MyPLAYER holds the ball does not cover the other two states. Finish the selected action instead of abandoning the possession, then verify which checklist line changed before retrying. If the drill is no longer active, the available sources do not prove that Park or City games will count as a replacement.
The video above is included because it shows the actual menu and checklist. It is third-party gameplay evidence, not an official 2K tutorial.
Running Mate co-op eligibility
Running Mate is optional two-player co-op in the modern MyCAREER story. A friend who owns NBA 2K27 can control Trace Miller game by game. If nobody joins, AI controls Trace. The player and co-op partner each earn their own separate, full VC and Season XP.
Co-op eligibility and platform rules
Both players need NBA 2K27. The game's official FAQ says online play requires an internet connection and an NBA 2K Account. Console online play requires a separate paid subscription.
NBA 2K27 crossplay is limited to PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S console versions. The FAQ describes cross-platform co-op matches on those platforms. It does not extend crossplay to PC or Nintendo Switch 2.
How Running Mate works
- Trace Miller is a custom teammate introduced in the G League who remains through the player's NBA career.
- When Trace is introduced, the player chooses one of nine build templates with shades of current NBA stars.
- Gameplay points improve Trace's attributes, Badges, and playstyle, unlocking Running Mate play skills.
- Co-op can be enabled or skipped for each game. A joining friend controls Trace as the player has built him; AI controls him when no friend is available.
MyCAREER Eras
MyCAREER Eras lets a MyPLAYER start in one of five historical periods:
- Magic vs. Bird Era, starting in 1984
- Jordan Era, starting in 1991
- Kobe Era, starting in 2003
- LeBron Era, starting in 2010
- Steph Era, starting in 2016
2K says each era uses period-specific rosters, rules, and presentation. Era Moments provide objectives on a 40-level reward track with exclusive cosmetics. The official material does not name a fastest reward route or strongest historical build.
For the game-wide platform scope, see NBA 2K27 platforms and crossplay. For editions and the rest of the coverage, return to the NBA 2K27 guide hub.
Sources & evidenceOpen the references used for this page
QUICK ANSWERS
Questions players ask next
How do you complete Running Mate Quick Plays in NBA 2K27?
In the Calling Quick Plays drill, press Up on the D-pad and finish one called play while your MyPLAYER has the ball, one while Trace has the ball, and one while you are off the ball.
Is NBA 2K27 MyCAREER co-op?
Yes. In the modern MyCAREER story, a friend who owns NBA 2K27 can control Running Mate Trace Miller on a game-by-game basis.
What does Running Mate co-op require?
Both players need NBA 2K27. Online play requires an internet connection and NBA 2K Account; console online play also requires a separate paid subscription.
What happens when no friend joins?
Trace is controlled by AI.
Does Running Mate co-op support crossplay?
NBA 2K27 crossplay is limited to PS5 and Xbox Series X|S console versions. The official FAQ says those versions support cross-platform co-op matches.
Do both players earn VC and Season XP in Running Mate co-op?
Yes. 2K says the player and co-op partner each earn their own separate, full amounts of VC and Season XP.
Which historical eras are playable?
Magic vs. Bird, Jordan, Kobe, LeBron, and Steph.
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Missing an answer—or found something outdated?
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