Luka Dončić, Kyrie Irving, Rudy Gobert, Anthony Edwards, and their teams, the Dallas Mavericks and Minnesota Timberwolves, completed their final practice sessions at Etihad Arena today. This is in preparation for the upcoming NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2023 Presented by ADQ, set to tip off tomorrow.
Under the guidance of their respective coaches, Jason Kidd of the Mavericks and Chris Finch of the Timberwolves, players ran a series of drills ahead of the official game. The stars seemed at ease in the Etihad Arena, marking their first taste of both the venue and Abu Dhabi.
The NBA Abu Dhabi Games, which started last year with the Atlanta Hawks and Milwaukee Bucks, is growing in prominence. Reflecting on his experiences in the city, Mavericks’ Kyrie Irving said, “The experience in Abu Dhabi has been incredible. NBA’s global outreach is commendable. The love of the game connects all of us.”
Anthony Edwards of the Timberwolves echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the importance of pre-season matchups. “It’s great being in Abu Dhabi. Preseason games are crucial for building team chemistry and we’re here to give our fans a show,” he said.
Rudy Gobert, the France-born NBA star, expressed his admiration for Abu Dhabi’s landmarks, “I visited the grand mosque, and I’m keen to explore more of what Abu Dhabi offers. The focus we have on these games is important, regardless of the result.”
Basketball enthusiasts in the region are gearing up for the NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2023 Presented by ADQ on October 5 and 7 at 8pm GST. Those interested in attending can purchase tickets on etihadarena.ae and ticketmaster.ae.