Slam Dunk: Two NBA teams will go head-to-head in Abu Dhabi

Basketball fans from around the world are set to descend on the United Arab Emirates this October as the NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2023.

Legendary NBA teams, the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Dallas Mavericks will go head-to-head, not once but twice this coming October.

This year's games come off the back of the NBA's showcase in 2022, where the Atlanta Hawks and the Milwaukee Bucks played their pre-season games in front of an excited crowd.

Currently third in the Southwest Division, the Dallas Mavericks team has whole host of talented basketball players including the point-guard stars, Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving. Seth Curry, son of former NBA player Dell Curry and the younger brother of current NBA player Stephen Curry, also plays for the team.

• 

• 

The Dallas Mavericks will go up against the Minnesota Timberwolves, who currently sit in second place in the Northwestern Division. It could be argued that the teams are relatively equally matched. Big names on the team include point-guard Mike Conely. power-forward Karl-Anthony Towns and centre, Rudy Gobert.

The top point scorer for the Minnesota Timberwolves is Anthony Edwards. Edwards points stats currently sit at 31.6. Whilst just a whisker ahead, the Dallas Mavericks' Luka Dončić's point stats sit at 32.4. This is set to make for two very exciting basketball matches.

The Minnesota Timberwolves were recently purchased by Major League Baseball legend Alex Rodriguez and billionaire businessman Marc Lore to hold a majority stake from 2024. Whilst the Dallas Mavericks is owned by American businessman, Mark Cuban. Cuban is currently one the the 'sharks', on business and investment TV show, Shark Tank.

Playing two pre-season games at the Etihad Arena on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi on Thursday, October 5 and again on Saturday, October 8, this will be a moment to mark in the calendar of any sports fan.

Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi. October 5 & 8, 2023.

Find tickets here.