NBA Live 14 is the 2014 edition of the basketball series and the follow-up to NBA Live 10 as no new editions were released in the years between except for the mobile game NBA Elite 11.

New for this edition is BounceTek where the right stick is used for dribbling. Next to the Franchise mode there is a Rising Star mode where a custom player can be designed based on a number of presets. The amateur proves himself in a few games and is then drafted by a team and needs to complete various objectives to receive good grades and Rising Star points based on performance such as shots, passes and defensive actions. Online multiplayer is supported as well. In the Ultimate Team mode (a first for this series, already common for many other EA sports games) players manage a team. By competing online or in fantasy showdown challenges coins are earned to purchase players, uniforms and contracts.

In the Live Season mode regular updates introduce challenges based on scenarios of the current NBA season. These consist of BIG Moments (short challenges to relive performances for the team or individual players) and NBA Rewind (control the players based on their real performance in that game to recreate or surpass them). Player and team ratings as well as tendencies are also updated regularly. In the Dynasty mode players build a team and lead them through 25 seasons of NBA. This mode can be played with current rosters or by redoing the 2013 draft of rookie distribution. Each year the manager can choose to rebuild, compete or go for broke, with the overall goal to get the best team over multiple seasons.

The game contains a global experience system and social network system where all actions are rewarded with overall HoopsNet XP, tied to a player's profile. Gaining levels provides rewards. These levels are also used for the head-to-head seasons with four different tiers (Rookie, Pro, All-Star and Superstar) based on the level one to ten.