New York Knicks owner James Dolan advised his championship-bound team to abstain from sex for 10 weeks during the 2026 playoffs, drawing parallels to ancient Spartan discipline in a bid to gain a competitive edge. The advice, delivered in April 2026 as the team prepared for its playoff run, encouraged players to eliminate distractions, including sexual activity, to focus on winning an NBA championship.
Dolan told the team that winning a championship would be "life-changing" and that the subsequent 10 weeks would require sacrifice. "You need sacrifice, and you need to eliminate all the distractions around you," he said. "I had this idea that maybe you should give up sex for the next 10 weeks... like the Spartans… they denied themselves, so that they can have an edge. Get the edge."
He also humorously suggested players not reveal the advice was his idea to their partners, but to ensure they understood the need for sacrifice, which would impact them as well. The Knicks ultimately went on to win the NBA championship, defeating the San Antonio Spurs in Game 5 of the 2026 NBA Finals on June 13, 2026.
Experts, however, have expressed doubt about the physical benefits of such abstinence for athletic performance. Dr. Anna Elton, a licensed marriage and family therapist and clinical sexologist, stated that while the belief in abstinence for performance dates back centuries, modern research shows little evidence that consensual sexual activity negatively affects strength, endurance, or reaction time, especially when it occurs more than 10 hours before competition. Elton noted that activity very close to competition might affect recovery, but the psychological aspect of abstinence could be more significant.
"Choosing to abstain can reinforce discipline and total commitment to a larger goal," Elton explained. "In those cases, the advantage may come more from mindset and focus than from any physical effect. Whether the sacrifice is alcohol, social activities, favorite foods or sex, the message is often the same: ‘We are all in.'"
Historically, discussions around sexual abstinence for athletes have focused on men, often based on misconceptions about testosterone and energy depletion. Elton clarified that research has not demonstrated that normal sexual activity causes a meaningful decline in athletic performance or consistently supports concerns about testosterone depletion. For women, sexual activity may even offer benefits related to stress reduction and emotional regulation.
Dr. Anthony Puopolo, a men's health expert, echoed Elton's sentiment, stating that research largely does not support abstinence as a performance enhancer, despite some minimal evidence suggesting sexual activity within two hours of competition could pose a risk to cardiovascular recovery. Puopolo also pointed out the lack of data on female athletes and diverse populations, noting that "we know what to tell the Knicks, but we are not sure what to recommend for the New York Liberty."
While abstinence may offer psychological benefits for some, such as reinforcing discipline and focus, experts emphasize the importance of other factors like sleep, recovery, nutrition, stress management, and support from loved ones. Elton highlighted that strong, supportive relationships can contribute to better psychological resilience during high-pressure competitions and that open communication about any necessary sacrifices is key. "One of the most overlooked performance advantages may be having a supportive relationship waiting at home," she said.