Must-Know Facts About the NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2024
The last two teams to win the NBA Championship – the 2023 Denver Nuggets and the 2024 Boston Celtics – have touched down in Abu Dhabi! They’ll tip off the 2024-25 preseason this Friday at 8pm local time on the NBA App. This year marks a special moment for the UAE, with two recent champions facing off in an electrifying preseason opener.
1. Year 3 in Abu Dhabi
The NBA is back in Abu Dhabi for the third consecutive year, and the excitement only keeps building! The past two seasons brought some epic matchups to UAE fans, with superstars gracing the courts:
- 2022: Trae Young and the Hawks swept Giannis Antetokounmpo's Bucks in two games.
- 2023: Anthony Edwards led the Timberwolves to two wins over Luka Doncic and the Mavs, previewing an intense Western Conference Finals.
- 2024: It’s a must-watch duel between the latest two champions – the Denver Nuggets and the Boston Celtics!
2. Familiar Territory for Four Olympians
Some of the NBA’s brightest stars are already quite familiar with Abu Dhabi this year. Jayson Tatum, Derrick White, Jrue Holiday, and Nikola Jokic were just here a few months ago for the USA Basketball Showcase to prep for the Paris Olympics.
- Two Wins for Team USA: The Boston trio defeated Jokic and his Serbian team in an Abu Dhabi exhibition, and then again in a semifinal thriller in Paris.
- Olympic Success: Team USA went on to beat host France for the gold medal, while Serbia claimed bronze by defeating Germany.
3. Champion vs. Champion
Boston had an incredible run last season, ending with a league-best 64-18 record. But there was one team that the Celtics couldn't figure out – the Nuggets. This preseason matchup is a chance for both teams to stake their claim as the top squad heading into the new year.
- No Repeat Champs: The NBA hasn’t had a back-to-back champion since 2018. Over the past five years, reigning champs are 9-2 against the previous season’s champions – a streak Boston hopes to break.
4. First Look at Both Teams
This will be the first time the Celtics take the court since winning their 18th NBA title just 109 days ago. While Boston has largely kept their core intact, Denver will debut some new faces.
- Boston’s Continuity: The Celtics brought back their stars, with Tatum and White signing extensions. They also retained key role players like Sam Hauser, Xavier Tillman, Luke Kornet, and Neemias Queta.
- New Look Nuggets: Denver lost Kentavious Caldwell-Pope but made some key additions, including former MVP Russell Westbrook and forward Dario Saric. Fans are eager to see how the new roster gels.
5. Global Games Kick Off
The Abu Dhabi Games open the NBA preseason for the second year in a row, but they’re just the start of the league’s Global Games schedule for 2024-25.
- Mexico City Game: The Wizards will head to Mexico City to play against the Heat on November 2. This will be the 33rd game in Mexico since 1992, highlighting the NBA's ongoing connection with international fans.
- Paris Games: Victor Wembanyama, after leading France to an Olympic silver medal, will bring the Spurs to his home country to face the Pacers on January 23 and 25.
The NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2024 promise to be an exhilarating start to the new season, with reigning champs and superstar matchups bringing excitement to basketball fans across the globe. Make sure to tune in this Friday to catch the action!