Reigning NBA champions, the Boston Celtics defeated Denver Nuggets inside the Etihad Arena last night to officially tip off the NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2024 presented by ADQ. Watched on by an adoring crowd and a phalanx of celebrities, the Celtics scored 107 points to the Nuggets’ 103 to claim the first of two head-to-head games taking place in the capital this weekend.
The Nuggets took a first-half lead, but the opening tie of what is the third annual NBA Abu Dhabi Games to come to the UAE capital was flipped on its head at the midway point as Denver sat its starters and Boston sat four of its five. With one eye on Sunday’s second game and looking to give minutes and experience to as many of their rosters as possible, the two teams combined to use 36 players.
Celtics’ Payton Pritchard led the game with 21 points and made 20 from 61 from beyond the arc, while Jrue Holiday, Derrick White, and Jayson Tatum – who was in the emirates earlier this year as part of the US Basketball Showcase – together contributed 25 points, with Jaylen Brown scoring eight. Nuggets MVP Nikola Jokic meanwhile racked up 14, Russell Westbrook and Michael Porter Jr. each scored 12, and Jamal Murray tallied three in the first 15 minutes.
Among the famous faces sitting courtside were US rappers 2 Chainz and Will.I.Am, Brazilian model Izabela Goulart, Indian actress Disha Patani, Turkish actress Hande Ercel, Arab stars Rawan Bin Hussein and Shatha Hassoun and a host of former footballers, including Gerard Pique, Thierry Henry, Iker Casillas, Luis Figo, Ronaldinho, and Roberto Carlos, Alessandro Del Piero, and Christian Vieri.,
The Celtics’ three-time NBA all-star Jaylen Brown said of the opening game: “We are getting back into season form and just finding that continuity again as we had some good spots. Defensively, we made some good plays, got some good looks, and we see a lot of excitement here in Abu Dhabi. I think the next game should be better, but just keep building great habits is going to be the key for all preseason.”
The Nuggets’ 2017 MVP, Russell Westbrook, added: “I really enjoyed the part of learning about other people, being able to lead other guys and get a chance to know them on a different scale than just the basketball side.”
Asked what motivates him as he approaches a 17th consecutive season in the NBA, Westbrook responded: “Two things, one: I’m grateful and blessed, and I’ll never take this game for granted. Anytime I step on the basketball floor, I’ll play as hard as I can. And two: I’ve learned a long time ago – when I was younger, my dad used to tell me – you never know who’s watching. This is an international game that kids and people have flown here for, drove here to come see guys like myself, so that opportunity can inspire somebody globally.”
Both teams face-off again on Sunday night at the same venue.
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