2K Sports is officially releasing the NBA 2K26 video game on September 5, 2025. The past month has generated a lot of buzz around the highly anticipated game’s release, including overall player ratings, player skill ratings, and new features in the game.
Fan debates on who has the best mid-range shot in the game, or who deserves above a 90 overall rating, were common on several social media platforms over the past month or a bit longer. But one of the more interesting additions to the game on the cultural side of it is the specificity of detail on player use of cosmetics, to be specific, nail polish.
A post went viral on social media, which claimed that players who wear nail polish in the games in real life will also have it in the video game. Players like Jared McCain, Jalen Green, and Jordan Clarkson will now have nail paint on their fingers during the game.
Fans did not appreciate this change as much and tore into Jalen Green specifically as the post used his picture.
“No longer buying the game,” said a disappointed fan on X.
“Not my problem anymore, thank u, lord,” said a Rockets fan under the same post.
“Goodness, this is what we have come to?”
“Another reason I’m not buying.”
“It looks worse this year.”
“Ronnie2K, man, what are we doing?”
NBA 2K26 gave Jalen Green nail polish 👀🔥
(Via @Jumpman_Germ / h/t @2KIntel ) pic.twitter.com/R4zMhX9ux1
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) September 1, 2025
Before the 1990s, the NBA used to keep its players extremely disciplined in terms of controlling their clothing, accessories, and other forms of expression of their true selves.
But following the Sneaker revolution with Michael Jordan and Dennis Rodman, pioneering an extravagantly true expression of himself in the fashion world, the NBA became a lot more liberal. Both these players initially faced fines for acting out of the order that the NBA had set for them. But eventually, the league took the right path and allowed players to express themselves more freely in the fashion and culture world.
One could metaphorically say that Dennis Rodman walked so players and former players like Jared McCain, Jalen Green, Michael Beasley, and Jordan Clarkson could run today.
Why Does Jalen Green Apply Nail Polish?
Jalen Green’s arms are full of black tattoos that have a lot of personal significance for him. According to NBA Philippines, Green initially used nail polish as a way of completing the look with his tattoos and making it look “cool” for him.
But the nail polish eventually became a part of his individual expression of self and became a common addition to even those outfits where his tattoos may not be visible.
