It’s no secret that Sacramento Kings guard Keon Ellis’s anticipation defense ranks up there with the very best in the league. NBA 2K26’s ratings concur with that sentiment.
NBA 2K26 unveiled its top-ten players at swiping possessions ahead of the game’s release on September 5th, with Ellis included on a list that features several of the best defenders in the game today.
Reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, defensive expert Dyson Daniels, and recent champion Alex Caruso are also included in the list of NBA 2K26’s top defenders.
Here’s where Ellis ranks among the best defenders in the upcoming game:
NBA 2K26: Steals Rankings
Ball bandits 🏀
These are the best players at swiping possessions in #NBA2K26 pic.twitter.com/aRnf1H17j3
— NBA 2K (@NBA2K) August 13, 2025
Ellis had a career year in 2024-25, swiping 1.5 steals per game (11th in the NBA) and 121 total steals (5th in the NBA) during a season that also saw him shoot 43 percent from three-point range (eighth-best in the league).
Entering his fourth NBA season, NBA 2K26 has identified the Alabama product as one of the best defenders in the game, ranking Ellis fifth of all players in the game with a steals rating of 96, only behind Matisse Thybulle, Dyson Daniels, Alex Caruso, and Kris Dunn.
Over 80 games in 2024-25 (28 starts), Ellis averaged 8.3 points, 2.7 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.5 steals per game on 49/43/85 shooting splits.
You can purchase NBA 2K26 on September 5th, or pre-order the game by clicking here.
When is the next Sacramento Kings game?
Sacramento Kings preseason basketball is on the way, but we’ll have to wait a bit longer before we see the Beam Team back in action.
The Kings will open up their preseason slate on Wednesday, October 8th, at home against the Toronto Raptors. You can see the full preseason schedule below.
Sacramento will begin the regular season on Wednesday, October 22nd in Phoenix before returning home to play its home-opener against the Utah Jazz on Friday, October 24th.
Click here to see the full 2025-26 Sacramento Kings schedule.
Upcoming Sacramento Kings schedule for the 2025-26 season
Preseason
September TBD – Start of NBA training camps for the 2025-26 season
Wednesday, October 8th vs. Toronto Raptors – 7 PM PT
Friday, October 10th @ Portland Trail Blazers – 7 PM PT
Wednesday, October 15th vs. Los Angeles Clippers – 7 PM PT
Friday, October 17th @ Los Angeles Lakers – 7 PM PT
Regular Season
Wednesday, October 22nd – @ Phoenix Suns – 7 PM PT
Friday, October 24th – vs. Utah Jazz – 7 PM PT
Sunday, October 26th – vs. Los Angeles Lakers – 6 PM PT
Tuesday, October 28th – @ Oklahoma City Thunder – 5 PM PT
Wednesday, October 29th – @ Chicago Bulls – 5 PM PT
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