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- Senior writer for ESPN.com
- Spent seven years at the Los Angeles Daily News
and
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Brian Windhorst
ESPN Senior Writer
- ESPN.com NBA writer since 2010
- Covered Cleveland Cavs for seven years
- Author of two books

Jul 30, 2026, 08:15 AM ET

For the initial occasion in half a decade, the NBA has decided against scheduling any exhibition contests in the Middle East, according to information provided to ESPN. This choice stems from the current conflict involving the United States and Iran along with persistent tensions throughout the area.

Although the league did not publicly declare any exhibition matches in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, for this season unlike the prior four, insiders revealed to ESPN that conversations occurred with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, Brooklyn Nets and Washington Wizards regarding possible involvement in such events.

The NBA also considered the possibility of staging its debut contest in Doha, Qatar, but those ideas remained unconfirmed and unpublicized. One option involved two of the four clubs competing in one match in Doha and another in Abu Dhabi during the identical journey. The Qatar Investment Authority holds a minority stake in the Wizards' parent company.

In January, the NBA and Abu Dhabi's Department of Culture and Tourism revealed an extension of their ongoing partnership that included exhibition NBA Global Games, increased promotional efforts and the introduction of an NBA Global Academy in the capital of the United Arab Emirates.

This alliance will persist and exhibition games are set to be arranged in Abu Dhabi going forward, according to sources. The NBA plans to consider hosting events in Qatar again later, sources indicated, although no schedule exists due to the continuing strife.

The 2027 FIBA World Cup is set to occur in Doha next August, and an NBA exhibition game was intended as part of the preparations for the tournament.

The New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers competed in two exhibition games in Abu Dhabi in October prior to the 2025-26 campaign.

On Sunday, Formula 1 declared that its previously delayed grand prix in Bahrain will now occur in Malaysia in October. The racing series continues to await decisions on its intended events in Qatar and Abu Dhabi later this year.