NBA 2K23 may have just launched on September 9, but the first 99 OVR Dark Matter is already technically available. Unfortunately, getting there will be a considerable grind, but the reward is a max-level version of Larry Bird. He’s, of course, a great reward, just don’t expect to be picking him up anytime soon. Let’s take a look at how to add him to your squad in NBA 2K23.

What do you need to unlock Dark Matter Larry Bird in NBA 2K23?

As mentioned above, getting Larry Bird is no easy task. 2K has added a new system to your collection called the Trophy Case. Each team in the NBA — there are 30 in total — has 15 different cards you need to earn by doing agendas, competing in different modes, locking in collections, or randomly earning them in packs. If you need some help understanding where to get all of the different cards, you can check out our guide on the topic.

When you complete a team’s trophy case, you’ll earn a reward player. All of these players are 96 OVR versions of some of that franchise’s best. For example, if you complete the 76ers Trophy Case, you’ll get a 96 OVR Allen Iverson. From there, you need to complete an entire Division’s Trophy Case. Each Division has five teams, which means a single division is going to require you to get 75 total cards. Considering that some of that will be random, you’re going to have to get pretty lucky to do this quickly.

When you complete each Division, you’ll pick up a 97 OVR card. From there, you need to then finish each Conference. That means finishing three Divisions per Conference. Doing so will give you a 99 OVR, and when you complete both Conferences, you’ll get the Larry Bird. As you can imagine, that’s a ton of cards you’ll need to collect, so don’t expect to have this finished any time soon. Instead, focus on the players you want to get and try to slowly work your way through each player. Below, we’ll list all of the available cards to give you an easy place to keep track.

All team Trophy Case rewards in NBA 2K23

  • 76ers – 96 OVR Allen IversonBucks – 96 OVR Brandon JenningsBulls – 96 OVR Derrick RoseCavaliers – 96 OVR Zydrunas IlgauskasCeltics – 96 OVR Kevin McHaleHawks – 96 OVR Kyle KorverHeat – 96 OVR Tim HardawayHornets – 96 OVR Alonzo MourningKnicks – 96 OVR Jeremy LinMagic – 96 OVR Rashard LewisNets – 96 OVR Richard JeffersonPacers – 96 OVR Jermaine O’NealPistons – 96 OVR Richard HamiltonRaptors – 96 OVR Andrea BargnaniWizards – 96 OVR Antawn JamisonClippers – 96 OVR Elton BrandGrizzlies – 96 OVR Zach RandolphJazz – 96 OVR Gordon HaywardKings – 96 OVR Peja StojakovicLakers – 96 OVR James WorthyMavericks – 96 OVR Michael FinleyNuggets – 96 OVR Dikembe MutomboPelicans – 96 OVR Brandon IngramRockets – 96 OVR Steve FrancisSpurs – 96 OVR Manu GinobiliSuns – 96 OVR Steve NashThunder – 96 OVR Russell WestbrookTimberwolves – 96 OVR Wally SzczerbiakTrail Blazers – 96 OVR Arvydas SabonisWarriors – 96 OVR Jordan Poole

All division Trophy Case rewards in NBA 2K23

  • Atlantic – 97 OVR Patrick Ewing Central – 97 OVR Jimmy ButlerSoutheast – 97 OVR Gilbert ArenasNorthwest – 97 OVR Clyde DrexlerPacific – 97 OVR Anthony DavisSouthwest – 97 OVR Chris Paul

All Conference and NBA Trophy Case Rewards

  • Eastern – 99 OVR Julius ErvingWestern – 99 OVR Tim DuncanNBA – 99 OVR Larry Bird