The Joker is coming to town! Yes, you heard that right.
Reigning NBA champions Denver Nuggets, spearheaded by their superstar MVP Nikola Jokic, are coming to Abu Dhabi, where they will take on Boston Celtics in two preseason games on October 4 and 6.
In what will be the third staging of the NBA Abu Dhabi Games – which are part of a multi-year deal between the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi and the NBA – basketball fans in the UAE will be treated to a clash between two Western Conference and Eastern Conference giants, pitting Jokic's Nuggets against Jayson Tatum’s Celtics.
Denver Nuggets beat Miami Heat in the Finals last season to clinch the first championship in the team’s 47-year NBA history.
After claiming back-to-back regular season MVP awards in 2021 and 2022, Jokic was named NBA Finals MVP, averaging 30.2 points, 14 rebounds, 7.2 assists and 1.4 blocks in the Finals against Miami.
“The Denver Nuggets organisation 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,” said Kroenke Sports & Entertainment vice-chairman Josh Kroenke.
Celtics currently lead the Eastern Conference with an impressive 48-13 record – the best in the entire league – and are leading contenders to reach this year’s NBA Finals.
Their roster features five-time NBA All-Star Tatum, three-time NBA All-Star Jaylen Brown, 2021 NBA champion Jrue Holiday and 2018 NBA All-Star Kristaps Porziņgis. Holiday participated in the inaugural NBA Abu Dhabi Games in 2022 as a member of Milwaukee Bucks.
2023 NBA Abu Dhabi Games - in pictures
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Jaden Hardy of Dallas takes on Jordan McLaughlin of Minnesota during the game between the Timberwolves and Dallas Mavericks in a pre-season NBA game as part of the Abu Dhabi Games 2023. Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Jordan Walker of Dallas takes on Trevor Keels of Minnesota during the game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Dallas Mavericks in a pre-season NBA game as part of the Abu Dhabi Games 2023. Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Karl-Anthony Towns of Minnesota scores during the game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Dallas Mavericks in a pre-season NBA game as part of the Abu Dhabi Games 2023. Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
NBA legend Sam Perkins. The Minnesota Timberwolves take on the Dallas Mavericks in a pre-season NBA game as part of the Abu Dhabi Games 2023. Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Dereck Lively II of Dallas takes on Rudy Gobert of Minnesota during the game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Dallas Mavericks in a pre-season NBA game as part of the Abu Dhabi Games 2023. Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
NBA legend Ray Allen. The Minnesota Timberwolves take on the Dallas Mavericks in a pre-season NBA game as part of the Abu Dhabi Games 2023. Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Josh Minott of Minnesota shoots during the game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Dallas Mavericks in a pre-season NBA game as part of the Abu Dhabi Games 2023. Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Minnesota celebrate during the game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Dallas Mavericks in a pre-season NBA game as part of the Abu Dhabi Games 2023. Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Timberwolves mascot Crunch the Wolf during the game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Dallas Mavericks in a pre-season NBA game as part of the Abu Dhabi Games 2023. Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Trick shot artists perform during the game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Dallas Mavericks in a pre-season NBA game as part of the Abu Dhabi Games 2023. Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
The Minnesota Timberwolves take on the Dallas Mavericks in a pre-season NBA game as part of the Abu Dhabi Games 2023. Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Trick shot artists perform during the game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Dallas Mavericks in a pre-season NBA game as part of the Abu Dhabi Games 2023. Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Emirati UFC fighter Mohammed Yahya speaks to former Dallas Mavericks forward Shawn Marion (L) during the game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Dallas Mavericks in a pre-season NBA game as part of the Abu Dhabi Games 2023. Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
The Minnesota Timberwolves take on the Dallas Mavericks in a pre-season NBA game as part of the Abu Dhabi Games 2023. Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
The Minnesota Timberwolves take on the Dallas Mavericks in a pre-season NBA game as part of the Abu Dhabi Games 2023. Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Matt Ryan of Minnesota shoots during the game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Dallas Mavericks in a pre-season NBA game as part of the Abu Dhabi Games 2023. Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
NBA legend Tim Hardaway Snr. The Minnesota Timberwolves take on the Dallas Mavericks in a pre-season NBA game as part of the Abu Dhabi Games 2023. Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Rapper DaBaby (L) takes to Steve Harvey during the game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Dallas Mavericks in a pre-season NBA game as part of the Abu Dhabi Games 2023. Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Luka Doncic of Dallas Mavericks shoots during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves in a pre-season game as part of the NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2023 at Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi. Minnesota won 104-96. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Comedian Steve Harvey talks with former NBA player Gary Payton, right, during the game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Dallas Mavericks at Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Karl-Anthony Towns of Minnesota gathers the ball. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
The Minnesota Timberwolves take on the Dallas Mavericks in a pre-season game as part of the NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2023 on Saturday, October 7, 2023. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Troy Brown Jr of Minnesota shoots during the game against Dallas Mavericks. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Former Brazilian footballer Ronaldo watches from court side. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Luka Doncic of Dallas shoots during the game. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Former France footballer Patrice Evra watches from court side. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Maxi Kleber of Dallas takes on Naz Reid of Minnesota. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Actor Michael B Jordan with Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, centre left, during the game. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Seth Curry of Dallas takes on Mike Conley of Minnesota. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
A cheerleader hands out prizes during the game. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Troy Brown Jr of Minnesota heads to the basket. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Dallas head coach Jason Kidd, right, with Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Greg Brown III of Dallas, left, takes on Luka Garza of Minnesota. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Seth Curry of Dallas. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Former NBA player Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Chris Whiteoak / The National
“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,” said Boston Celtics team president Rich Gotham.
Ticket sales information and the venue for the games will be announced at a later date. Fans can register their interest in receiving more information by visiting nba.com/abudhabi.
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.
Last year saw Minnesota Timberwolves pull off a two-game sweep over Dallas Mavericks in the capital, with the likes of Anthony Edwards, Luka Doncic, and Kyrie Irving all making an appearance.
“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,” said Saleh Al Geziry, director general for tourism at DCT Abu Dhabi.
Basketball is fast becoming a key sport in the UAE’s events calendar. Last summer, ahead of the Fiba World Cup, star teams, including a Steve Kerr-coached USA, Germany and Greece, held training camps in Abu Dhabi and played friendly games as part of International Basketball Week, before flying east to the World Cup.
“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,” said NBA deputy commissioner and chief operating officer Mark Tatum.
DCT – Abu Dhabi have also announced a new global agreement between their destination brand, Experience Abu Dhabi, and the Boston Celtics.
