NBA Global Games 2016: Complete Schedule, Live Stream and More
The NBA's push toward becoming the United States' most popular international sport will take a big step in 2016-17 with the expansion of its Global Games series.
For the third straight year, the NBA will take regular-season trips to Mexico and London. The league will also be making its typical trip to China during the preseason, and the Oklahoma City Thunder are already in Spain.
Oklahoma City played its first Global Games matchup Monday against Real Madrid and will continue Wednesday against FC Barcelona.
The first of the China matchups will see the New Orleans Pelicans and Houston Rockets make their way to Shanghai and Beijing later this month. They will play the first of two games on Oct. 9 at Shanghai's Mercedes-Benz Arena before traveling to Shanghai's LeSports Center on Oct. 12.
| FC Barcelona vs. OKC Thunder | Oct. 5 | 2:30 p.m. | Spain | NBATV |
| Houston Rockets vs. New Orleans Pelicans | Oct. 9 | 7:30 a.m. | China | NBATV |
| Houston Rockets vs. New Orleans Pelicans | Oct. 12 | 7:30 a.m. | China | NBATV |
| Phoenix Suns vs. Dallas Mavericks | Jan. 12 | 10 p.m. | Mexico | NBA League Pass |
| Phoenix Suns vs. San Antonio Spurs | Jan. 14 | 6 p.m. | Mexico | NBA League Pass |
In a release, Pelicans forward Anthony Davis said:
"I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to play in front of the Chinese fans for the first time in our franchise’s history. During my past visits to China, I was amazed to see the fans’ love and excitement for the game of basketball. Visiting Beijing and Shanghai and interacting with the Chinese fans is going to be an incredible experience to share with my coaches and teammates.
"
The Rockets have been immensely popular in China since acquiring Yao Ming in the 2002 NBA draft. The team has not made a trip to the country since Ming's return in 2004. The Pelicans franchise will be making its first Chinese trip.
The Denver Nuggets and Indiana Pacers will travel to London at the O2 Arena on Jan. 12. Both teams will be making their first trip to the United Kingdom for a game, which is the seventh regular-season matchup in NBA history to take place in the nation.
In 2013, the Pacers were part of the NBA's trip to the Philippines—a booming nation when it comes to basketball. Neither team has been part of a Global Games during the regular season.
"We are thrilled to return for our seventh regular-season game in London," commissioner Adam Silver said in a release. "With almost 25 percent of players in the NBA born outside of the United States, we are seeing firsthand the global growth of our game, which has never been more popular in the UK."
"The annual regular-season game in London has become a major fixture in the European basketball calendar, and we are proud to offer fans in Europe another spectacular NBA experience, as we welcome the Denver Nuggets and Indiana Pacers to the world's most popular venue," Senior Vice President of AEG Sports Matthieu Van Veen said.
It's Mexico City, though, that will see the biggest expansion. For the first time ever, the NBA will play two regular-season games south of the border.
“We’ve been playing NBA games in Mexico for 25 years, and we’re thrilled that for the first time we are bringing two regular-season games to Mexico City, featuring three teams with an exciting mix of veteran talent and emerging stars," Silver said.
The Phoenix Suns will be the technical hosts of both games, which will feature the Dallas Mavericks and San Antonio Spurs. Phoenix and Dallas will be the first of consecutive games on Jan 12, with the Spurs visiting Jan. 14.
Suns president Jason Rowley said:
"It’s an honor to make history alongside the NBA and call Mexico City a second home of the Suns this season. We have an incredibly strong and supportive Hispanic fan base in Arizona, and these two games present a unique opportunity to strengthen our relationship with NBA fans in both Arizona and Mexico. We’re extremely proud to represent the NBA as it continues to grow the game internationally, and we are grateful for this opportunity to help further deepen the relationship between Mexico and Arizona.
"
The expansion to Mexico will only continue if these games prove successful, and the NBA will no doubt look to continue opening its game to other countries. A regular-season game in a place like China would be difficult because of the time differential, but it's something that should and will be explored in the coming years.
