Ethan Crossfield 
Grand Theft Auto 6 has not launched yet, but NBA center Steven Adams already expects it to create problems across professional sports. Speaking during the Houston Rockets’ media day on September 22, Adams joked that player and coaching performance could drop throughout November as athletes spend time in Rockstar’s version of Vice City. The warning arrives less than two months before GTA 6 reaches PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S on November 19.
What happened
Adams said performance around professional sports could “plummet” once GTA 6 becomes available, suggesting that players and coaches may be distracted by the game. His comments were clearly made in a lighthearted spirit rather than as a serious prediction, and he added that any decline would be temporary.
The joke still reflects the extraordinary attention surrounding Rockstar’s open-world title. Pre-orders are available through the PlayStation and Xbox storefronts, while Rockstar has increased its promotional activity ahead of launch. GTA 6 is widely regarded as the most anticipated game of 2026, giving Adams’ comment an unusually recognizable target beyond the NBA.
Why it matters
The release is expected to affect more than gaming habits. The source notes that PS5 Pro systems have been selling out quickly amid interest in having the most powerful console capable of running GTA 6 at launch. That demand underlines how strongly the game is influencing conversations around current-generation hardware before players can even experience it.
There are also signs that the game could overlap with other entertainment businesses. Take-Two Interactive has announced that NBA 2K27’s Season 3 will use a GTA 6 theme, although its exact release date has not been confirmed. Since Season 2 begins in October, the crossover may be scheduled around GTA 6’s November launch.
Even workplaces outside gaming could feel the effect. Burger Motorsports in California previously said its daily customer service operations would slow as employees took time off to play the game, with normal service expected to return days later. Those examples do not prove a broad economic impact, but they show how launch-day enthusiasm can extend beyond the usual gaming audience.
What to watch next
The immediate focus is whether Rockstar maintains its November 19 release for PS5 and Xbox Series X/S and how its promotional campaign develops in the weeks before launch. Fans should also watch for more information about the NBA 2K27 crossover, including when Season 3 begins and how closely it is tied to GTA 6.
For the Rockets, the timing is especially notable. Houston is scheduled to open its 2026-27 NBA season at home against the Dallas Mavericks on October 21, before GTA 6 arrives. Adams’ own playing status remains uncertain after season-ending left ankle surgery in January 2026, so his prediction may be easier to deliver from the sidelines than from the court.
Key takeaways
- Steven Adams expects GTA 6 to temporarily distract players and coaches across professional sports.
- The game is scheduled to launch on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S on November 19.
- NBA 2K27’s third season will feature a GTA 6 theme, though its launch date is unknown.
- Rockstar’s release is already being linked to console demand and possible workplace disruptions.
Expert View
Adams’ warning is a joke, but it captures GTA 6’s real competitive advantage: Rockstar’s game is large enough to compete for attention with live sports, not merely with other releases. The NBA 2K27 crossover gives that attention an official bridge into basketball, while the reported hardware demand shows that the impact began before launch. Whether players actually miss preparation time is impossible to measure now, but GTA 6 is already behaving like a major entertainment event rather than a routine game release.
