How many games has the NBA played in Europe? The full schedule of the regular season and preseason

The NBA has always been characterized as a competition whose boundaries change and expand over time. Of the incorporation of two franchises in Canadian territories in 1995 with Vancouver Grizzlies and Toronto Raptors to parties in countries such as China, Mexico, Japan or the United Kingdom. The North American competition has not stopped in its quest to be as global and international a championship as possible.

In total, 35 regular season games have been played outside the US and Canada and more than 100 preseason games against both FIBA ​​teams and national teams since 1984, when the Phoenix Suns and New Jersey Nets met in Palazzo dello Sport di San Siro (Milan, Italy).

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In total, there have been 10 regular season matches in Europe, including 9 in London. A place that in 2020 changed to Paris, holding the first duel to date in the French countries.

With a new edition of the annual NBA match on European soil that in 2023 will be held for the second time in Paris (France) on January 19 Come inside Detroit Pistons and Chicago Bulls It’s time to look back and save all those games played in Europe by NBA teams, both with each other and against FIBA set.

All NBA Regular Season games played in Europe

2011: Toronto Raptors vs. New Jersey Nets

• Result: 103-116 and 136-137
• Position: London, O2 Arena

The first two regular season games played on European soil took place at what would be the site of the Olympic final a year later and both ended in victories for the New Jersey Nets.

In both, Brook Lopez was the most decisive player for them from Newark with 25 and 34 points in two exciting and contested games, especially the second, which took place on March 5.

Two games that included the participation of Jose Manuel Calderon with 6 points and 12 assists in the first duel and with 9 points and 9 assists in the second.

2013: New York Knicks vs. Detroit Pistons

• Result: 102-87
• Position: London, O2 Arena

It took more than a year for the NBA to return to London, where the Knicks would play the first of their three games played in Europe, the franchise that has done it most times with the Nets.

On this occasion, the capital of the United Kingdom saw how Carmelo Anthony signed an excellent performance with 26 points, 3 rebounds and 4 assists to lead the New Yorkers to victory.

2014: Brooklyn Nets vs. Atlanta Hawks

• Result: 127-110
• Position: London, O2 Arena

The Nets returned to the O2 now in Brooklyn against a surging Hawks with Millsap and Teague in charge before taking off at the hands of Budenholzer.

In that matchup, the New Yorkers managed to score an important victory at the hands of Joe Johnson with 29 points and 20 off the bench of Andrey Blatch. A game attended by legends like Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett.

2015: New York Knicks vs. Milwaukee Bucks

• Result: 79-95
• Position: London, O2 Arena

The fifth game in London ended in a surprising way with the victory of the Milwaukee Bucks by the rookie Giannis Antetokounmpo who finished with 16 goals and 5 assists. Bittersweet victory due to a serious injury to Kendall Marshall who would only play 30 more games in his career.

Jose Manuel Calderon would play his second game in Europe finishing with 11 points and 9 assists and who ended with Carmelo Anthony leading scorer with 25 goals.

2016: Orlando Magic vs. Toronto Raptors

• Result: 103-106
• Position: London, O2 Arena

The Raptors returned to London and the Magic made their Old Continent debut with a loss. In this case, Kyle Lowry would be the key to the victory with 24 goals despite the good performance shown by Victor Oladipo with 27 goals and 6 assists.

A tight finish that settled into overtime where the Canadians emerged victorious thanks to the aforementioned Lowry’s free kick success.

2017: Denver Nuggets vs. Indiana Pacers

• Result: 140-112
• Position: London, O2 Arena

The most resounding victory in the history of the games on European soil resulted in the victory of the young Denver Nuggets led by Danilo Gallinari with 18 points, Nikola Jokic with 22 goals and Wilson Chandler with 21.

Paul George’s still Pacers (10 points) succumbed to the mistake of their star, with CJ Miles leading Indiana with 20.

2018: Boston Celtics vs. Philadelphia 76ers

• Result:80-89
• Position: London, O2 Arena

One of the most anticipated and exciting duels played at London’s O2 ended with an incredible victory for the 76ers despite a Celtics comeback attempt.

Joel Embiid was the most outstanding with 26 points and 16 rebounds accompanied by Dario Saric with 16 points. The loss of Kyrie Irving affected the Proud Greens in their first and only regular season visit to Europe.

2019: New York Knicks vs. Washington Wizards

• Result: 100-101
• Position: London, O2 Arena

The closest matchup between two teams on European soil in recent years occurred in an unexpected Knicks vs. Wizards that ended in Washington’s favor thanks to instant replay. Alonzo Trier illegally blocked Thomas Bryant’s attempt to help them win their first meeting in London.

Bradley Beal authored the comeback with 26 points to cap a 24-11 run in the final round, canceling Mudiay’s 25 points.

2020: Milwaukee Bucks vs. Charlotte Hornets

• Result: 116-103
• Position: Paris, Accor Arena

That year’s ring favorite, the Milwaukee Bucks, landed the reigning MVP up front and John Antetokounmpo it did not disappoint. The Greek gave quite a show with 30 points, 16 rebounds and 6 assists to beat some Charlotte Hornets in full transition.

The first game of the Regular Phase in France ended in an easy and quick victory for Milwaukee despite a second-half explosion from Malik Monk (31).

Games held in Spain

Including the famous Open McDonald’s tournaments held between European teams and teams from the NBA as a kind of exchange and contact between the two basketballs, 22 games have been played in Spain, most of them in the preseason in the month of October.

Either it’s over NBA World Games in Madrid or Barcelona, Apart from sporadic appearances in Malaga and Bilbao, there have been many NBA teams that have played part of their preseason in our country, with the Memphis Grizzlies being the ones that have played the most.

The first game of an NBA team on Spanish soil took place on May 14, 1956 with the citizens of Syracuse as protagonists. In a five-match tour to celebrate the previous year’s championship, Al Cervi’s side played against teams created for the occasion where players such as Joaquín Hernández and Antonio Díaz Miguel stood out.

These are all NBA games in Spain:

The views expressed here do not necessarily represent those of the NBA or its organizations.