THE Boston Celtics will travel to Abu Dhabi later this year. They will face the Denver Nuggets in two preseason games on Friday, October 4 and Sunday, October 6, in what could potentially be a NBA Finals revenge.
Team president Rich Gotham provided a brief statement on behalf of the Celtics when the news was released.
“The Boston Celtics have a rich history of international travel and countless fans around the world, and we are excited for this opportunity to play for NBA fans in Abu Dhabi,” Gotham said via press release of the NBA. “Basketball is a truly global sport, and international events like these can help inspire generations of fans around the world. »
The timing of the news is interesting. Boston and Denver will face off for the second time this season on Thursday. Both teams are expected to make a significant push for a spot in the NBA Finals later this season and are considered the biggest threat to their respective chances at winning a championship this season.
The Celtics will face the Nuggets in the Abu Dhabi 2024 games in October
–Adam Taylor (@AdamTaylorNBA) March 6, 2024
By scheduling the Celtics and Nuggets in Abu Dhabi, the NBA is clearly expressing its desire to continue to grow its global brand. The UAE has been broadcasting NBA games since 1987 and the overall number of fans is increasing significantly. Sending two of the league’s most talented teams to play exhibition games is precisely the way to attract a new set of fans by showcasing some of the league’s best talent.
THE Dallas Mavericks And Minnesota Timberwolves were chosen to represent the league in October 2023. They faced each other twice, with both matches considered fun and entertaining.
The NBA also holds a regular season game in Europe each year, with Paris recently being the venue of choice. Still, we should expect to see a full Celtics team in Abu Dhabi, as the trip will be part of their preseason plans. Hopefully they will travel to the Middle East as NBA champions and have bragging rights over the Nuggets. For now, though, all attention should be on Thursday’s game.
