The NBA has introduced that the Dallas Mavericks will play a preseason recreation in opposition to reigning EuroLeague champion Actual Madrid on the WiZink Heart in Madrid on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023, at 8:45 p.m. CET, marking 35 years because the first NBA video games in Spain in 1988. The matchup would be the NBA’s eighth recreation within the Spanish capital and twentieth recreation in Spain general.
The Mavericks at present function four-time NBA All-Star and All-NBA First Workforce member Luka Dončić, who joined Actual Madrid on the age of 13 and have become the youngest-ever EuroLeague and EuroLeague Closing 4 MVP when he led Actual Madrid to the 2018 EuroLeague title at age 19. The Mavericks additionally function 2016 NBA champion and eight-time NBA All-Star Kyrie Irving.
Actual Madrid options Spanish legend and former NBA draftee Sergio Llull in addition to a number of former NBA gamers, together with Rudy Fernández, Mario Hezonja, Džanan Musa, and Sergio Rodríguez. Actual Madrid has gained a document 36 La Liga ACB championships and is the winningest crew in EuroLeague historical past with 11 titles.
The matchup marks the primary preseason NBA recreation in Madrid since 2016, when Dončić and Actual Madrid hosted the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder. In 1988, the Boston Celtics performed two video games in Madrid in opposition to the then Yugoslavian Males’s Nationwide Workforce and Actual Madrid.
Previous to the sport in Madrid, the Mavericks will play two preseason video games in opposition to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Oct. 5 and seven as a part of The NBA Abu Dhabi Video games 2023.
“Bringing the stay NBA expertise on to our passionate worldwide followers is a vital a part of our year-round efforts to develop basketball and the NBA around the globe,” stated NBA Deputy Commissioner and Chief Working Officer Mark Tatum. “We’re excited for the Mavericks to play Actual Madrid and look ahead to participating with followers from Spain and throughout Europe round this historic matchup.”
“Following our preseason video games in Abu Dhabi, we’re thrilled to play the sport we love for the MFFLs in Madrid,” stated Dallas Mavericks CEO Cynt Marshall. “Our crew is fortunate to have one of many best worldwide NBA ambassadors in Luka, and we look ahead to connecting with Actual Madrid and their followers.”
“Going through an NBA crew is at all times particular, however on this event much more so, as it should give us the chance to as soon as once more get pleasure from a Actual Madrid legend and NBA star like Luka Dončić, who proudly carries the identify of our membership and presumes of being a Madridista wherever he goes,” stated Actual Madrid Ambassador Felipe Reyes. “It will likely be an incredible spectacle and a really thrilling second for all madridistas and basketball lovers.”
