The NBA announced that the Dallas Mavericks and Minnesota Timberwolves will play in the 2023 Abu Dhabi Games. The Mavs and Wolves will meet in preseason matchups on October 5 and October 7 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

The Atlanta Hawks and Milwaukee Bucks played a pair of preseason games in the Arabian Gulf ahead of this past regular season. The NBA and Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi have entered a multiyear collaboration to increase the NBA's visibility in the United Arab Emirates.