The New York Knicks broke a 53-year championship drought by claiming the 2026 NBA title, and team owner James Dolan’s unusual motivational advice is drawing attention for its old-school approach to athletic discipline.

Ahead of the playoffs in April 2026, Dolan addressed the team with a speech that mixed inspiration and challenge, urging players to consider how far they were willing to go for victory.

He told the players that winning would be “life-changing” and warned that losing would linger “the rest of your lives.”

Dolan encouraged the team to make sacrifices during the playoff run, naming diet, sleep, and perhaps even sexual activity as areas where focus could make a difference.

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“I had this idea that maybe you should give up sex for the next 10 weeks,” Dolan said. He likened the idea to the discipline of ancient Spartans, who “denied themselves, so that they can have an edge.”

The comment earned laughs in the locker room, but Dolan pressed the point, advising players to frame it as a team-wide sacrifice for a greater goal.

He joked, “Don’t tell [your wives and girlfriends] you’re not going to have sex, and don’t tell them it was my idea,” adding that partners would also have to make sacrifices.

As the Knicks went on to defeat the San Antonio Spurs in five games on June 13, 2026, the conversation around Dolan’s “no sex” strategy reignited broader questions about whether abstinence can really enhance athletic performance.

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Dr. Anna Elton, a licensed marriage and family therapist and clinical sexologist from Massachusetts, explained that the idea stretches back centuries to ancient Greece, when warriors and athletes practiced abstinence before competitions.

She said some believed avoiding sex preserved energy, increased aggression, and sharpened focus. However, modern research has found little evidence that sexual activity negatively affects performance when it occurs at least 10 hours before competition.

Elton noted that activity immediately before competition could affect recovery, emphasizing that the psychological benefits may carry more weight than physical changes.

“Choosing to abstain can reinforce discipline and total commitment to a larger goal,” she said. “In those cases, the advantage may come more from mindset and focus than from any physical effect.”

Elton pointed out that the focus on male athletes historically stems from misconceptions about testosterone and energy depletion. Research, she said, has not supported significant performance declines from normal sexual activity.

“For women, sexual activity may have additional benefits related to stress reduction, emotional regulation and relationship satisfaction,” she added.

Abstinence, Elton said, might still help by creating a sense of discipline and shared commitment within a team.

Dr. Anthony Puopolo, a men’s health expert and lead medical provider for RexMD, agreed that there is minimal scientific support for sexual abstinence improving athletic results.

He told Fox News Digital that most existing studies—roughly 99 percent—focus exclusively on men aged 20 to 40, leaving major gaps in understanding for women, older athletes, and broader populations.

“Unfortunately, nearly all studies have been conducted in males aged 20 to 40,” he said. “We know what to tell the Knicks, but we are not sure what to recommend for the New York Liberty.”

Puopolo did acknowledge limited evidence that sexual activity within two hours of competition could affect cardiovascular recovery.

Both experts emphasized that lifestyle factors such as nutrition, rest, and emotional support likely play greater roles in consistent peak performance.

Elton explained that sexual activity itself can promote stress reduction, improved mood, better sleep, and stronger emotional connection—factors that can boost resilience under pressure.

“Strong, supportive relationships are associated with better psychological resilience, which can be valuable during high-pressure competitions,” she said.

While Dolan’s directive stirred laughter, it also highlighted the sometimes-unspoken interplay between psychological discipline, personal relationships, and professional performance in elite sports.

Elton concluded that there is no universal rule, stressing that “what helps one athlete perform at their best may not help another.”

She added that open communication between partners and athletes can help balance ambition with personal well-being, especially during a grueling championship run.