Which team won the first NBA 2K League championship?

The first NBA 2K League championship was won by Knicks Gaming. The New York Knicks-affiliated team defeated Heat Check Gaming in the finals of the league’s inaugural 2018 season.

The championship series took place on August 25, 2018, after the league’s first season began with the Tip-Off Tournament in May. Knicks Gaming won the best-of-three final, establishing itself as the league’s first playoff champion. NateKahl, whose real name is Mitchell Franklin, was named Finals MVP.

The result is sometimes confused with the first NBA 2K League tournament or with later championship formats. The opening Tip-Off Tournament was won by 76ers GC, while Blazer5 Gaming won The Turn tournament. Those were important early-season events, but neither was the league championship. The league later introduced separate 3-on-3 and 5-on-5 competitions, creating additional champions and making the phrase “first championship” dependent on format.