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

Jul 30, 2026 | 10:49 AM

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.