Could this be a preview of the NBA Finals on foreign soil?
Before the commencement of the 2024-25 NBA season, the Boston Celtics and Denver Nuggets are set to engage in two preseason matchups as part of the NBA’s Abu Dhabi Games.
Scheduled for October 4 and 6, these games, facilitated through the collaboration between the NBA and Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism, carry heightened significance. Both teams, widely regarded as frontrunners in their respective conferences, transform this preseason affair into a potentially tantalizing glimpse of an early NBA Finals showdown.
Expressing enthusiasm for this international opportunity, Celtics president Rich Gotham highlighted the team’s rich history of global engagement and the chance to connect with fans worldwide.
Acknowledging the global appeal of basketball, Gotham sees events like these as inspiring generations of fans across the globe. Celtics guard Jrue Holiday, having participated in the 2022 Abu Dhabi Games with the Milwaukee Bucks, adds a seasoned perspective to the international matchups.
NBA Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer Mark Tatum emphasized the excitement surrounding the presence of two elite NBA teams, the Celtics and the Nuggets, in Abu Dhabi. Recognizing the growing momentum of basketball in the UAE and the broader Middle East, Tatum anticipates that these games, alongside ongoing grassroots development and fan engagement initiatives, will contribute to the continued expansion of the sport in the region.
In the current NBA standings, Denver holds the third seed in the Western Conference with a 42-20 record, standing as the defending NBA Finals champions.
On the other hand, Boston boasts the best record in both conferences at 48-13, with 21 games remaining in the regular season. The convergence of these powerhouse teams in Abu Dhabi sets the stage for an international spectacle, offering fans a unique and exciting preseason preview.