Boston defeated Denver in the NBA exhibition season opener at Abu Dhabi

The game marked veteran guard Russell Westbrook's debut for Denver. Westbrook, a former MVP and nine-time All-Star, joined the Nuggets in July after a stint with the Los Angeles Clippers. He made his first appearance alongside star center Nikola Jokic, who Westbrook praised, calling him "in a category of his own."

"His unselfishness is what makes him stand out," Westbrook said of Jokic. "He simplifies the game for his teammates, and even after winning a championship and multiple MVPs, he's remained the same humble person. I'm excited to be on his team and learn from him."

Jokic played just under 17 minutes, recording 14 points, eight rebounds, and two assists, shooting an impressive 71.4% from the field. The Serbian center recently returned from helping Serbia secure bronze at the Olympics and hinted that international play could benefit his form heading into the new season.

"Last time I played for the national team, we won the championship, so maybe it means something—or maybe it doesn’t, who knows?" Jokic said. "I do feel that summer tournaments help with conditioning and performance, and I definitely enjoyed my time with the national team."

Boston's stars Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Derrick White, all Olympic gold medalists, started the game, but it was Payton Pritchard who stole the spotlight for the Celtics. Pritchard led Boston with 21 points, hitting six of his 12 attempts from beyond the arc. In total, the Celtics took 61 three-pointers, a number that would have set a franchise record if the game had been official.

"I don't think we'll shoot 61 threes most nights," Pritchard admitted. "We'll probably focus more on attacking the basket once the season starts."

NBA Finals MVP Brown connected with the Abu Dhabi crowd, greeting fans in Arabic before the game. He finished with eight points, two rebounds, and two assists in 19 minutes. Tatum contributed 12 points, six rebounds, and five assists in the win.

The star-studded event at Etihad Arena also attracted football legends such as Ronaldinho, Thierry Henry, Roberto Carlos, and Alessandro Del Piero. Jokic, a football fan, was thrilled to see Henry in attendance, describing him as his favorite player during the striker's time at Arsenal.

"Henry was incredibly fast and a game-changer," Jokic said. "He was one of the best players I’ve ever seen."

Boston and Denver are set to meet again on Sunday for their second preseason matchup. The 2024/25 NBA season officially tips off on October 22nd.

SportsLigue