Steven Adams on the GTA 6 release on 19 November 2026 and possible distraction in pro sports
Steven Adams told TMZ Sports that Grand Theft Auto VI, now planned for 19 November 2026, could briefly distract pro sports in November.
- In the quoted remark, he mentioned the NFL and other leagues, saying performances that month would “plummet.”
- Rockstar Games currently has Grand Theft Auto VI scheduled for Thursday, 19 November 2026.
What happened
Steven Adams, center for the Houston Rockets, made a notable comment about Grand Theft Auto VI in a conversation with TMZ Sports. In the quoted passage, he said he expected “the NFL” and other leagues to dip in November because players would be busy with GTA 6.
Adams tied the remark specifically to the month of November. According to the source, he said performances would “plummet” and that coaching and scouting during that period would be “horrendous,” but only “for the month of November.” The reporting frames the comment as a lighthearted exaggeration rather than a serious sports analysis.
The timing of the remark lines up with Rockstar Games’ current release date for Grand Theft Auto VI: Thursday, 19 November 2026. Rockstar has confirmed that date as the game’s planned launch day.
The quote drew extra attention because Adams has spoken openly about video games before, including Dota 2 and Smite. As a result, sports media largely treated the comment as a playful reaction to a major game release.
Timeline
2026-09-22: Steven Adams made the remarks during a media session, according to the source.
2026-11-19: Rockstar Games currently has Grand Theft Auto VI scheduled for release on this date.
2026-11: Adams said pro sports performances could temporarily drop that month because of GTA 6.
2026-11-19: According to the report, four NBA games are on the schedule and the Houston Rockets are not playing that day.
Background
Grand Theft Auto VI is now set by Rockstar Games for Thursday, 19 November 2026. That date forms the basis of Adams’ comment about possible distraction in November, since the release lands in a busy sports period.
The available sources do not provide evidence that NBA, NFL, or other pro leagues will actually perform worse because of the game’s release. Adams’ statement should therefore be read as a joke or hyperbole, not as a proven outcome.
The sports calendar adds context to the quote. The article notes that there are four NBA games on 19 November and that the Houston Rockets are not playing that day. The reference to Week 11 Thursday Night Football also helps explain why the date stands out in the coverage.
Related GAME-scanner articles
- WWE drops ‘Vice City’ trademark while Rockstar expands GTA 6 marketing around Vice City
- GTA 6 shows busier beaches and more NPC variety, according to Game Rant and IGN
- Rockstar tightens mod guidelines for GTA 6 and bans unauthorized commercialization
- Rockstar tightens mod guidelines and limits canon mods around GTA 6
Sources
- Gamespot: GTA 6 Will Make Pro Athletes Perform Worse, NBA Star Says
- Rockstar Games: Grand Theft Auto VI is Now Set to Launch November 19, 2026
- TMZ Sports video with Steven Adams about the GTA 6 remark
- X post cited by the source with the quote about November and “performance is gonna go down"