Report: No plans for NBA Middle East games due to war

Field Level Media|published: Thu 30th July, 10:52 2026

Mar 9, 2013; New York, NY, USA; A general view of Spalding basketballs before the game between the New York Knicks and Utah Jazz at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images

The NBA will not play any preseason games in the Middle East this year due to the ongoing war in Iran, ESPN reported Thursday.

As part of the NBA Global Games series, the league played exhibition contests in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, in each of the previous four seasons.

Nothing official had been announced for the 2026-27 preseason, but ESPN reported that the league had been in talks with four potential participants: the Brooklyn Nets, Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat and Washington Wizards.

Last season, the New York Knicks swept the Philadelphia 76ers in a pair of contests at Abu Dhabi's Etihad Arena on Oct. 2 and 4.

The league also discussed the possibility of hosting its first game in Doha, Qatar, the site of the 2027 FIBA World Cup next August.

--Field Level Media

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