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Heat’s Middle East exhibitions scuttled; ex-Heat guard Josh Richardson retires
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- Heat’s Middle East exhibitions scuttled; ex-Heat guard Josh Richardson retires
MIAMI — In the end, the ongoing conflict in the Middle East led to the delay in the announcement of the Miami Heat 's preseason schedule, a schedule that otherwise would have included exhibitions in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, and Doha, Qatar.
The Heat initially were scheduled to play the Cleveland Cavaliers in such a matchup in Abu Dhabi and then another exhibition in Doha, with those plans put on hold and then eventually scuttled due to the ongoing regional impact of the conflict between the United States and Iran, which has spilled over to several other Middle East nations.
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The NBA had put those plans on hold until such an event no longer stood as feasible for that October window. After the Heat removed themselves from consideration, the NBA initially sought a replacement team for those games.
Instead, the NBA on Wednesday announced a pair of Canada Games exhibitions, with the Heat opening their preseason schedule on Oct. 3 in Quebec City against the Toronto Raptors , the first NBA game to be held in that market.
That will be one of five exhibitions for the Heat and one of two road preseason games, with the Heat on Oct. 16 facing the Orlando Magic . The Heat will host exhibitions at Kaseya Center on Oct. 8 against the New Orleans Pelicans , Oct. 10 against the Minnesota Timberwolves and Oct. 14 against the Brooklyn Nets .
The 2026-27 NBA regular-season schedule will be released in mid-August.
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The Heat have a history of international exhibitions, including a 1999 preseason game in the Middle East against Israeli team Maccabi Tel Aviv that was scheduled as restitution for the Heat acquiring the draft rights to forward Martin Muursepp.
The Heat last preseason played the Magic in San Juan, having previously played exhibitions over their first 37 seasons in the Bahamas, Italy, Dominican Republic, France, England, China and Brazil.
Assuming a quieter temperature in the Middle East next summer, the 2027 World Cup is scheduled for Doha, Qatar, with Heat coach Erik Spoelstra to lead the Team USA roster as part of his USA Basketball assignment that also includes the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
New Heat acquisition Giannis Antetokounmpo is expected to also be part of that 2027 World Cup in Qatar if Greece qualifies. Antetokounmpo said he plans to suit up for Greece in their World Cup qualifying games in late August. Heat forward Simone Fontecchio said he will participate in 2027 World Cup qualifying for Italy.
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Richardson retires
Former Heat guard Josh Richardson , one of 14 players with dual tenures with the team, announced his retirement in an Instagram post.
"I always gave my best, that's why I can say this with no regret," Richardson, 32, posted. "I am grateful to have been able to love this game and it love me back as much as it did. It wasn't set up for me at any point in my career, and from high school, college, and the pros. I humbly worked my butt off every day (to) be the best that I could be. All my fans, coaches and teammates, I hope I left a good impression and a positive view of me."
Richardson, with a smiling-face emoji, tacked on, "Yes this is a retirement post."
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Richardson was selected by the Heat at No. 40 in the second round of the 2015 NBA draft, spending his first four NBA seasons with the Heat. He then was dealt to the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2019 offseason trade that delivered Jimmy Butler from the 76ers to the Heat.
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After going on to play for the 76ers, Dallas Mavericks , Boston Celtics , San Antonio Spurs and New Orleans Pelicans, he returned to the Heat for an injury-riddled 2023-25 stint.
He concluded his basketball career last season in the Spanish League with Basket Zaragoza.
He has since turned his attention to music production, having DJ'd several events over his playing career, including at NBA venues, as well as stepping into such a role at times during Heat training camps.
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In his combined six Heat seasons, Richardson appeared in 310 regular-season games, starting 322, averaging 11.6 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.8 assists.
