NEW DELHI: The NBA preseason kicked off in model as sporting icons corresponding to Rohit Sharma, Thierry Henry, and Ronaldinho witnessed an thrilling conflict between the Boston Celtics and the Denver Nuggets on the NBA Abu Dhabi Video games on Friday.
The star-studded occasion, now in its third yr within the Persian Gulf, noticed Boston edge previous Denver 107-103, setting the tone for the 2024-25 season.
Whereas the sport drew loads of consideration on the court docket, the stands have been equally filled with notable personalities from throughout the globe.
Among the many star-studded crowd was Indian legendary batter Rohit, who added his presence to the already glamorous affair.
The T20 World Cup-winning Indian skipper, accompanied by his spouse Ritika Sajdeh, was noticed mingling with fellow world sports activities legends, together with soccer greats Thierry Henry and Ronaldinho.
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In a second that despatched followers right into a frenzy, Rohit additionally took a photograph with Spanish soccer icon Iker Casillas, making for a memorable sporting crossover.
The NBA’s rising presence in Abu Dhabi has change into a bridge for sports activities followers worldwide, providing moments the place athletes from totally different disciplines come collectively.
For Rohit, the occasion offered a break from cricket after India’s latest 2-Zero collection sweep towards Bangladesh, giving him an opportunity to get pleasure from world-class basketball alongside a few of the largest names in sports activities.
His participation on the occasion drew vital consideration on social media, with followers excited to see the cricketer representing India on a worldwide stage outdoors the cricket discipline.
On the court docket, the sport noticed Denver resting its starters within the second half, whereas Boston additionally benched most of their key gamers, permitting lesser-known skills to shine. Payton Pritchard led Boston with 21 factors, and reigning MVP Nikola Jokic put up 14 factors for Denver in a spirited, however transient, look.
