NBA star Steven Adams says GTA 6 will make sports leagues “plummet” in November

GamingGTAbyMichael GwilliamPublished: Sep 22, 2026, 23:04Rockstar GamesAdd as a preferred source on GoogleFollow on Google News

Houston Rockets center Steven Adams has warned that GTA 6 could derail performances across professional sports when it launches in November.

Rockstar’s long-awaited game is set to arrive on November 19, 2026, for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. Adams thinks the release could be a problem for athletes who would rather spend their time in Vice City and exploring the state of Leonida.

Speaking at the Rockets’ media day on September 22, he predicted a temporary dip in performance across the NBA, NFL and other leagues, such as the NHL, as players get stuck into the game.

Steven Adams warns Grand Theft Auto VI will distract players and coaches

“You guys should anticipate November,” Adams said. “So look at the NFL, look at all the leagues, and watch them plummet.”

“It should come back up, though. Most of the boys will get it done. Hopefully they finish the game. Coaching as well, by the way. The coaching and scouts are going to be horrendous, just for November, but it should bounce back in December, hopefully

A US Army battalion also offered a four-day pass around the release to soldiers who re-enlisted, although the Army has not publicly confirmed the memo’s authenticity.

For some fans, the wait has taken on a more personal urgency. A daughter appealed to Rockstar on behalf of her terminally ill father, hoping he would get the chance to play GTA 6.

Whether Adams’ November prediction comes true is another matter. He expects the leagues to recover by December, assuming the players, coaches and scouts can pull themselves away from GTA VI.