GTA VI Athlete Distractions
Houston Rockets Center Steven Adams Predicts League Slump When GTA VI Launches
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Key Points
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Grand Theft Auto VI is scheduled for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S; pre-orders opened globally on June 25, with preloading set to begin Nov. 12, one week before launch.
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The game will return players to Vice City, featuring protagonists Jason Duvall and Lucia Caminos in a story set across the fictional state of Leonida.
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Gaming analytics firm Newzoo has projected that GTA VI could generate as much as $5.2 billion in global sales by the end of its launch week, underscoring the scale of expectations surrounding the release.
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Adams is returning after undergoing season-ending surgery on his left ankle last January; before the injury, he averaged 5.9 points and 8.6 rebounds in 22.7 minutes over 31 games for Houston.
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The 33-year-old center is entering his third season with the Rockets and has two guaranteed years remaining on his contract, worth $13 million in 2026-27 and approximately $11.8 million in 2027-28.
Houston Rockets center Steven Adams joked at media day that Grand Theft Auto VI could tank sports performance in November 2026. Fox News reported that Adams predicted NBA and NFL players, coaches, and scouts will be distracted when the highly anticipated game launches on November 19. He expects the slump to lift by December once the initial buzz fades.
The prediction underscores just how massive GTA VI has become. Rockstar Games is launching the game on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S more than 13 years after GTA V. Games Radar noted that gaming analytics firm Newzoo projects GTA VI could generate $5.2 billion in global sales by the end of launch week alone.
A 13-Year Wait Fueling Record Hype
Grand Theft Auto V launched in 2013. GTA VI's November 19, 2026 release will mark the longest gap between mainline entries in the franchise's history. Pre-orders opened globally on June 25, with preloading beginning November 12 — one week before launch. The delay has created unusual anticipation among both casual and hardcore gamers.
Vice City Returns With New Protagonists
GTA VI returns the series to Vice City, the fictional Florida setting last seen in 2002's GTA: Vice City. This time, players control two protagonists: Jason Duvall and Lucia Caminos. The story unfolds across the fictional state of Leonida. Rockstar has kept most plot details secret, fueling speculation across gaming communities.
Adams Bouncing Back From Ankle Surgery
The 33-year-old Adams is entering his third season with Houston after undergoing season-ending left ankle surgery last January. Before the injury, he averaged 5.9 points and 8.6 rebounds in just 22.7 minutes per game over 31 contests. Adams has two guaranteed years remaining on his contract: $13 million in 2026-27 and approximately $11.8 million in 2027-28.
Gaming Execs Also Betting Big on November
Adams isn't alone in expecting GTA VI to dominate November. Take-Two Interactive's leadership has signaled confidence in record-breaking sales. Games Radar reported that industry projections suggest the game will capture massive portions of player time across all demographics. The scale of investment and marketing suggests athletes' distraction might be the least of November's surprises.
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