Mavericks, Wolves will face off in NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2023

The NBA and Abu Dhabi's Department ofCulture and Tourism (DCT Abu Dhabi) announced that the NBA AbuDhabi Games 2023 will feature the Dallas Mavericks and MinnesotaTimberwolves. The teams will play two preseason games on Oct. 5 andOct. 7 at Etihad Arena on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi.

The NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2023 will airlive in the UAE and across the Middle East and North Africa on beINSPORTS, The Sports Channel and NBA League Pass. The games andsurrounding events will be supported by a roster of marketingpartners, including Aldar, Experience Abu Dhabi, Gatorade, Nike andTissot.

“We are excited to be preparing forthe new season of the NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2023 with the thrillingpreseason head-to-head games between the Dallas Mavericks andMinnesota Timberwolves," said H.E. Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, thedirector general for tourism at DCT Abu Dhabi. "We look forward towelcoming the players, teams, and fans to experience thedestination and strengthening our efforts to bring the very best insporting entertainment and engagement across Abu Dhabi.”

NBA games have aired in the UAE sincethe 1987-88 season, and the NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2023 are part of amulti-year collaboration between the NBA and DCT Abu Dhabi thatlast year saw the Atlanta Hawks and Milwaukee Bucks play theleague’s first games in the Arabian Gulf.

“Following the success of last year’sgames and events that welcomed fans from across the globe to AbuDhabi, we’re excited to return in the 2023 preseason with two greatmatchups between the Mavericks and Timberwolves and some of thebest players in the world," said NBA Europe and Middle Eastmanaging director Ralph Rivera. "Our collaboration with DCT AbuDhabi continues to support the NBA’s goal of introducing basketballand its values to young boys and girls in the UAE and globally, andthat will be the case once again through these games and thesurrounding activities."

In January, the NBA and DCT Abu Dhabilaunched an expanded second season of the Jr. NBA Abu Dhabi League,featuring boys’ and girls’ leagues each composed of 450 playersages 11-14 from schools across the UAE capital. The collaborationalso includes a variety of interactive fan events featuringappearances by current and former NBA players, a series of NBA FITclinics promoting health and wellness, and an NBA 2K Leagueexhibition event. The collaboration sees DCT Abu Dhabi, underExperience Abu Dhabi, the tourism promotion initiative of the UAE’scapital, serve as the Official Tourism Destination Partner of theNBA in the Middle East, North Africa, Europe and China.

“The Dallas Mavericks certainlyrecognize the importance of globalizing the game of basketball,"said Mavericks CEO Cynt Marshall. "For many years, we have enjoyedinternational players and a growing international fanbase. We arehonored to play the game we love for NBA fans in Abu Dhabi andaround the world. We appreciate all who have worked so hard tocreate this exciting opportunity for our team and our fans.”

“As the NBA continues its globalexpansion, the Minnesota Timberwolves are honored to be selectedfor the NBA Abu Dhabi Games," added Timberwolves CEO Ethan Casson."Thank you to the NBA and the host city of Abu Dhabi for allowingus the opportunity to bring fans together through the game ofbasketball.”