For the first time in five years, the NBA will not play any preseason games in the Middle East, sources told ESPN. The decision comes amid the war between the United States and Iran and the ongoing conflict in the region. While the NBA never announced preseason games in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, this year, as it had for the previous four years, sources told ESPN that the league had held discussions with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, Brooklyn Nets and Washington Wizards about potentially participating in the games.