Champs Nuggets and Celtics to play two preseason games in Abu Dhabi

The National Basketball Association (NBA) and the Department of Culture and Tourism — Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) on Wednesday announced that the NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2024 presented by ADQ will feature the 17-time NBA champion Boston Celtics and the defending NBA champion Denver Nuggets.

Celtics and Nuggets will play two preseason games on October 4 and October 6 in Abu Dhabi.

The Celtics currently feature five-time NBA All-Star Jayson Tatum, three-time NBA All-Star Jaylen Brown, 2021 NBA champion Jrue Holiday and 2018 NBA All-Star Kristaps Porzingis. Holiday participated in the inaugural NBA Abu Dhabi Games in 2022 as a member of the Milwaukee Bucks.

The Nuggets currently feature two-time Kia NBA Most Valuable Player and six-time NBA All-Star Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon.

The NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2024 presented by ADQ will air live in the UAE, across the Middle East and around the world, reaching fans in more than 200 countries and territories on television, digital media and social media.

The NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2024 presented by ADQ are part of a multiyear collaboration between the NBA and DCT Abu Dhabi that features preseason NBA Global Games, the Jr. NBA Abu Dhabi League, a variety of interactive fan events featuring appearances by current and former NBA players, a series of NBA FIT clinics promoting health and wellness, and an NBA 2K League exhibition event.

The collaboration also sees DCT Abu Dhabi, under Experience Abu Dhabi - the tourism promotion initiative of the UAE’s capital - serve as the Official Tourism Destination Partner of the NBA in the Middle East, North Africa, Europe and China.

Saleh Al Geziry, Director General for Tourism at the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi: “Our collaboration with the NBA supports our strategy of empowering youth in the UAE, the region and beyond. With the event now in its third year, we are excited to once again host The NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2024 and build on our track record of hosting top-tier sporting events.”

The inaugural edition of the Games took place in 2022 with two games between Milwaukee Bucks and Atlanta Hawks, marking the first time in history the NBA held a game in the Arab world.

NBA Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer Mark Tatum:

“We’re excited to bring two of the best teams in the NBA to Abu Dhabi in the Celtics and the Nuggets. There is incredible momentum around basketball in the UAE and across the Middle East, and we believe these games as well as our year-round grassroots development and fan engagement efforts will be a catalyst for the continued growth of the game in the region.”

In an impressive preseason showing last year, the Minnesota Timberwolves dominated the Dallas Mavericks in a two-game sweep held in Abu Dhabi. Star players like Anthony Edwards, Luka Doncic, and Kyrie Irving all took the court for this exciting series.

Boston Celtics Team President Rich Gotham:

“The Boston Celtics have a rich history of international travel and countless fans worldwide, and we welcome this opportunity to play for NBA fans in Abu Dhabi. Basketball is a truly worldwide sport, and international events such as these can help inspire generations of fans across the globe.”

Josh Kroenke, Kroenke Sports & Entertainment Vice Chairman, said: “The Denver Nuggets organization couldn’t be more excited for the opportunity to visit and play NBA games in Abu Dhabi this coming preseason. We look forward to this unique experience and being able to help expand the global reach of our great league.”