2K Games has revealed an unexpected crossover as NBA All-Star Tyrese Haliburton prepares to enter the squared circle of WWE 2K25 via the upcoming Dunk & Destruction downloadable content. The Indiana Pacers guard, who recently won Olympic gold with Team USA at the 2024 Paris Games, will trade basketball sneakers for wrestling boots in this surprising addition to the popular wrestling franchise.

Despite Haliburton's impressive basketball credentials, his impending arrival in WWE 2K25 hasn't been universally celebrated by the wrestling game's passionate fanbase. Many have questioned the logic behind including basketball players in a wrestling simulation title.

Launched in March 2025 as the 25th installment in the long-running series, WWE 2K25 continues to expand its roster through regular DLC updates. The game recently introduced the New Wave DLC pack, featuring international wrestling stars like Stephanie Vaquer and Giulia, along with tag team specialists Motor City Machine Guns. Another mystery wrestler is expected to join this lineup soon.

The official WWE 2K25 social media accounts confirmed Haliburton's inclusion, revealing he'll be part of the Dunk & Destruction pack alongside wrestling legends Abyss and The Great Khali. Rumors about NBA players joining the game first surfaced in March, when leaks suggested potential celebrity DLC characters including music artist Travis Scott and fellow basketball stars Shaquille O'Neal and Jalen Brunson. Two additional NBA players remain to be announced for this unique crossover pack.

While some fans appreciated the novelty of Haliburton's inclusion - with one Twitter user noting his character model looks better in WWE 2K25 than in NBA 2K25 - many questioned the decision to feature basketball players in a wrestling game. The wrestling community has been vocal about preferring additional wrestling talent like Jordynne Grace, Penta El Zero Miedo, or Joe Hendry rather than crossover athletes.

The controversy surrounding Haliburton's addition hasn't reached the level of fan frustration with WWE 2K25's persistent count out glitch, but it has sparked debate about the direction of the game's DLC strategy.

Looking ahead, WWE 2K25 has an ambitious DLC roadmap planned for 2025. Following June's Dunk & Destruction pack, July will introduce the Fearless pack. Later in the year, September brings the Attitude Era Superstars pack, while November will see the release of the Saturday Night's Main Event pack, offering fans plenty of new content to anticipate.