Overview
- ESPN reports the NBA will not hold any preseason games in the Middle East this season because of security concerns connected to the U.S.-Iran war.
- The decision is reported, not announced in a formal league statement, and partners say preseason games will be scheduled in the region at a later date without a public timeline.
- The league had discussed sending the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, Brooklyn Nets and Washington Wizards to play preseason games, but no concrete plans had been finalized before the pause.
- The NBA extended its partnership with Abu Dhabi in January to add more preseason games and to open an academy in the United Arab Emirates, and Doha had been under consideration as a co-host due to Qatar Investment Authority business ties.
- FIBA says the 2027 Basketball World Cup remains scheduled for Qatar, and the pause highlights how geopolitical conflict can create scheduling uncertainty for international sports and local development projects.