NBA 2K20 was released on September 6, 2019, for Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, iOS, Android and on November 18, 2019, for Google Stadia.

As with other games in the series, the in-studio pregame and halftime shows are based on the real-life NBA on TNT presentations, featuring Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, and Shaquille O'Neal, with the latter two analysts also appearing as players on the 1993-94 Houston Rockets and 1994-95 Orlando Magic/2000-01 Los Angeles Lakers/2005-06 Miami Heat, respectively.

During games, the announcers are Kevin Harlan, Greg Anthony, Chris Webber, Steve Smith, Clark Kellogg, and Doris Burke, with David Aldridge as the sideline reporters.

For the first time ever in the NBA 2K series, all twelve teams from the WNBA are included; however, they can be only used in Play Now (one-game exhibition) and single-season modes.

The mode features a storyline (with the voices of actors including Idris Elba, Rosario Dawson, Thomas Middleditch, Mark Cuban, Ernie Hudson and Lamorne Morris) which plays out as the player competes in games as well as off-court activities.

The official trailer for NBA 2K20's MyTeam mode, which allows players to buy content with real-world money, received criticism for its revealing of minigames styled as real-world gambling such as pachinko and slot machines, roulette wheels, ball-drop games, and the opening of randomized card packs.

While some of the mechanics had been introduced to the series prior, critics felt that featuring them in a single trailer was "more in-your-face" and noted they were emphasized over showing gameplay of basketball matches.

However, PEGI noted that "we are very aware that it may get too close for comfort for some people", and said that due to such changes in an evolving industry, "we need to ensure that these developments are reflected in our classification criteria.

[6][7] In its 7.8/10 review, IGN wrote: "NBA 2K20 would have been better off by focusing on its complex modes like MyLeague and cleaning up MyTeam to be less dependent on microtransactions.

Some of the secondary additions might be lacking when compared to the polish seen in the new cinematic story mode, but they still serve their purpose to flesh out the package.