Boston Celtics to take on Denver Nuggets in Abu Dhabi

The Boston Celtics will take on the defending NBA champions the Denver Nuggets in two pre-season games in Abu Dhabi later this year.

The NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2024 will feature the 17-time NBA champions the Boston Celtics and the defending NBA champions the Denver Nuggets playing two pre-season games on Friday October 4th and Sunday October 6th in the UAE Capital.

The Celtics currently have 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 Porziņģis. 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 Jokić, Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon.

The fixtures 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.

Saleh Al Geziry, Director General for Tourism at the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi said: “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.”

NBA Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer Mark Tatum commentated: “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.”

Ticket sales information and the venue for the games will be announced at a later date.