The Dallas Mavericks and Minnesota Timberwolves will come head-to-head for an epic showdown.

After a successful run in Abu Dhabi last year, the National Basketball Association is returning to the capital once again. This time, the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi brings the Dallas Mavericks and Minnesota Timberwolves face to face. The competing teams will be in the capital on Thursday, 5 October and Saturday, 7 October to play two pre-season games at the Etihad Arena on Yas Island.

Abu Dhabi will welcome The Mavericks’ four-time NBA All-Star Luka Doncic and 2016 NBA champion Kyrie Irving who will go head-to-head with The Timberwolves’ three-time NBA All-Stars Karl-Anthony Towns and Rody Gobert. They’ll also be joined by 2023 NBA All-Star Anthony Edwards. Now that’s a lineup that you don’t want to miss.

Last year, Atlanta Hawks and Milwaukee Bucks were the first two teams to play the league games in the Arabian Gulf. In January 2023, NBA and DCT Abu Dhabi also launched the season of the Jr. NBA Abu Dhabi League which brought together over 450 children between the ages of 11 and 14. Needless to say, basketball does seem to have a regional following and Abu Dhabi’s numerous basketball courts prove just that.

Speaking of promoting the game in the region, His Excellency Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, the director general for DCT Abu Dhabi said, “We look forward to welcoming the players, teams, and fans to experience the destination and strengthening our efforts to bring the very best in sporting entertainment and engagement across Abu Dhabi.”

Ralph Rivera, managing director at NBA Europe and Middle East agreed and added that last year’s success only adds up to the excitement for 2023’s games. He continued, “Our collaboration with DCT Abu Dhabi continues to support the NBA’s goal of introducing basketball and its values to young boys and girls in the UAE and globally.”

Apart from the NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2023, NBA and DCT Abu Dhabi’s collaboration also features a variety of fan events that bring some of the biggest names to the forefront. Shaquille O’Neil, Isiah Thomas, Chris Bosh and Vince Carter were just a few of the big names that were spotted courtside. Even celebrities such as Maya Diab, Martin Lawrence, Steve Harvey and Ranveer Singh were seen at the venue.

GO: Visit www.nba.com/abudhabi for more information.