Photo Essay: NBA 2K League plays tourney in D.C.

By Lily Speredelozzi, Sage Russell and Stephen Li • April 3, 2023

Stephen Li | Photographer

Celtics Crossover Gaming Head Coach Ricco Phinisee consults his team members.

NBA 2K players toggled their controllers and howled into their mics, duking it out on the in-game courts during a multi-day D.C. tournament last week.

The teams competed for a $150,000 prize in the newly opened District E Flagship Esports Venue at the 2K tournament that ran Wednesday through Saturday. The NBA 2K League 3v3 Slam Open champions were Pistons GT, who beat T-Wolves gaming in a close series 3-2.

Sheriff “FT” Cruz (left) and Jhade “Colt” Black of Celtics Crossover Gaming (right) celebrate a win. (Stephen Li | Photographer)

Torin “TayZo” Williams of Celtics Crossover Gaming adjusts his gaming headphones. (Stephen Li | Photographer)

NBL Oz Gaming fans cheer on their team’s players. (Stephen Li | Photographer)

Frederick “DJayTooCold” Payton and Lawrence “Lawrich” Mayberry of NBL Oz Gaming embrace each other as they celebrate their win of Snickers’ Most Satisfying Performance. (Stephen Li | Photographer)

Caesar “ceez” Martinez of Hawks Talon GC competes against Dhwan “ShiftyKaii” White of T-Wolves Gaming. (Sage Russell | Staff Photographer)

Anthony “Ant” Costanzo of Pistons GT shouts to Tariq “Greens” Reed of Nets GC. (Sage Russell | Staff Photographer)

Anthony “Ant” Costanzo of Pistons GT jumps excitedly out of his chair. (Sage Russell | Staff Photographer)

Pistons GT head coach, Duane Burton, smiles as his team celebrates their championship. (Sage Russell | Staff Photographer)

Shun “Streetz” Brown of Nets GC cleans up after a game. (Sage Russell | Staff Photographer)

A lucky stuffed kangaroo sits on a player’s gaming desk. (Stephen Li | Photographer)