Steven Adams has delivered a warning to the NBA, and somehow, it has nothing to do with defense, injuries or conditioning.
The Houston Rockets center believes Grand Theft Auto 6 could affect NBA players once the highly anticipated video game arrives.
Yes, the biggest threat to basketball performance might be a video game.
Adams stepped up to the podium during Rockets media day and gave what sounded like a league-wide weather forecast. His prediction? November could bring a serious slump.
Steven Adams has jokes at media day:
"I will say: you guys should anticipate November. The performance of the league, league-wide. GTA is dropping."pic.twitter.com/OIBnRbDFeL
— Underdog NBA (@UnderdogNBA) September 22, 2026
Why? GTA 6!
“You guys should anticipate November. The performance of the league, league-wide, GTA is dropping. So look at the NFL, look at all the leagues, and watch them plummet, mate. Just for the month of November, performance is gonna go down,” he joked. “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.”
Adams’ comments are funny because athletes are already known for having unusual routines during the long NBA season. Sleep, recovery and preparation are important. But GTA 6 could introduce a completely different kind of temptation.
Now imagine adding GTA 6 marathons to that tough NBA schedule.
Coaches may need a new rule: “No GTA after midnight.”
Team trainers might start checking controllers instead of ankles, and general managers could soon be asking prospects about their gaming habits during interviews.
Adams may have accidentally identified basketball’s strangest potential problem.
When GTA 6 finally arrives, NBA players may have to choose between chasing a championship and chasing another mission.
Knowing gamers, that decision could get complicated very quickly.
