NBA Live 09 is a simulation of the basketball sport. In comparison the other versions this game is much more focused on a fast arcade gameplay - that's why both the Dynasty and the Be-a-Pro mode are missing. Here the player can only choose between a whole season, the play-offs or the FIBA World Championship.

The controls are adjusted to the special Wii movement controls which allow a more direct control over the players. It also features one special playing mode: All-Play. In this mode the player only controls the passes (by choosing the next player with the Remote), the dunks (by imitating the throwing movement) and snatching away the ball in the defensive (by shaking the controller) - everything else is controlled by the AI.