Five things you should know about the 2024 NBA Abu Dhabi Games

The Boston Celtics pose for a team photo at the famous Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Abu Dhabi.

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The last two teams to win the Larry O'Brien Trophy — the 2023 Denver Nuggets and 2024 Boston Celtics — arrived in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday and will kick off the 2024-25 preseason on Friday (12 p.m. ET, NBA app) with the first of two games in the UAE.

1st year 3 in Abu Dhabi: The NBA has hosted two exhibition games in Abu Dhabi over the past two seasons, showcasing some of the league's biggest stars on a global stage.

• In 2022 Trae Young and the Hawks won two preseason games against Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks
• In 2023 Anthony Edwards and the Wolves won both games against Luka Doncic and the Mavs in a WCF preview
• In 2024 It's a duel worth seeing between the last two champions

2. Familiar territory for four Olympians: Jayson Tatum, Derrick White, Jrue Holiday and Nikola Jokic return to Abu Dhabi for the second time in three months after participating in the USA Basketball Showcase to prepare for the Paris Olympics.

• Two wins: Team USA's Tatum, White and Holiday of Boston beat Serbia's Jokic of Denver 105-79 in a contest in Abu Dhabi and 95-91 in a semifinal thriller in Paris
• Both medals: Team USA defeated hosts France to win gold, while Serbia defeated Germany to win bronze

3. Champion vs Champion: Last season, Boston was the best team in the league at 64-18, but there was one team it couldn't beat all season – the Nuggets.

• No repeats: The NBA hasn't had a repeat champion since 2018, with the reigning champions losing 9-2 to the previous season's champions over the last five years.

4. First insights into both teams: The games in Abu Dhabi begin 109 days after the Celtics won their 18th NBA title. Friday will be their first appearance on the court together after a summer full of celebrations.

• Run it back: The Celtics brought back the stars (Tatum and White inked extensions) and role players (Sam Hauser, Xavier Tillman, Luke Kornet and Neemias Queta) – as they look for continuity while trying to repeat
• New nuggets: The Nuggets will have a new roster after losing Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Denver filled its open roster spots with former NBA MVP Russell Westbrook and forward Dario Saric

5. Global Games begin: The Abu Dhabi Games opens the preseason for the second year in a row, but will not be the only Global Games on the 2024-25 NBA calendar.

• Mexico City game: The Wizards will play north and south of the border when they face the Heat in a regular-season game in Mexico City on Nov. 2 – the 33rd game in Mexico since 1992
• Paris Games: After leading France to a silver medal at the Olympics, Victor Wembanyama returns home when the Spurs take on the Pacers on January 23rd and 25th