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NBA Pride Nights Expand in 2026 Season, But Nine Teams Remain Uncommitted
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The NBA has made significant strides in supporting LGBTQ+ inclusion over the past decade, with Pride Nights becoming a fixture on the league’s promotional calendar. For the 2026 season, 21 out of 30 NBA teams have publicly confirmed their plans to host Pride Night events, aiming to recognize and celebrate LGBTQ+ athletes, fans, and allies throughout the ongoing season .
Pride Nights have already taken place for high-profile teams including the Atlanta Hawks, Dallas Mavericks, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, and Boston Celtics . Several others, such as the Brooklyn Nets, Charlotte Hornets, Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons, Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Clippers, Minnesota Timberwolves, New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns, Portland Trail Blazers, San Antonio Spurs, Orlando Magic, and Washington Wizards, have announced upcoming LGBTQ+-themed games and community partnerships .
Commissioner Adam Silver continues to champion LGBTQ+ inclusion, often appearing at Pride parades and affirming the league’s commitment to diversity and respect for all identities . The NBA’s support is further bolstered by the legacy of Jason Collins, who in 2013 became the first active male professional athlete in a major U.S. team sport to come out as gay, marking a pivotal moment for both the league and the broader sports world .
Despite this progress, nine franchises have not yet announced Pride Night initiatives for the 2026 season. The teams in question are the Houston Rockets, Memphis Grizzlies, Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks, New Orleans Pelicans, Oklahoma City Thunder, Sacramento Kings, Toronto Raptors, and Utah Jazz . Among them, Oklahoma City has not hosted a Pride event since the previous season, and early indicators suggest that Memphis may be opting out entirely for 2026 .
The lack of participation from these teams stands in contrast to Major League Baseball, where 29 out of 30 franchises took part in Pride-related events this year, placing additional scrutiny on NBA holdouts .
LGBTQ+ advocates and fans have highlighted the importance of league-wide visibility, emphasizing that Pride Nights serve not only as celebrations but as vital affirmations of belonging and safety for LGBTQ+ people in sports environments . Many teams incorporate educational outreach, community partnerships, and on-court visibility—such as rainbow-themed warm-ups and in-game acknowledgments—to reinforce inclusive values .
Teams that have not confirmed their participation face growing calls from both local and national LGBTQ+ organizations to join the movement and ensure that all fans, regardless of identity, feel welcomed at games . The evolving landscape reflects ongoing debates about the responsibilities of major sports franchises in fostering social inclusion and the continuing momentum of LGBTQ+ advocacy within athletics.
As the NBA season progresses, eyes remain on the remaining nine teams to see whether they will embrace Pride initiatives and contribute to a league-wide standard of inclusion—a step many see as essential for ensuring basketball remains a welcoming space for everyone .
