The National Basketball Association and Zignia Live announced on Wednesday that the Phoenix Suns will take on the Dallas Mavericks and San Antonio Spurs in the first consecutive regular season games in Mexico. The matchups will take place on Jan. 12 and 14, respectively, at the Mexico City Arena. The games will mark the first time the league hosts two regular season contests in Mexico in the same season.
"It’s an honor to make history alongside the NBA and call Mexico City a second home of the Suns this season," Suns President Jason Rowley said. "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 Suns roster currently features Eric Bledsoe and NBA All-Rookie First Team selection Devin Booker, while the Mavericks are led by NBA All-Star Dirk Nowitzki and Puerto Rican J.J. Barea and the Spurs by NBA All-Stars Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker and Pau Gasol.
In addition to the games on the court, NBA Global Games Mexico City 2017 will feature a variety of interactive fan events and NBA Cares community celebrations. The games will be supported by partners and will be available to fans around the world on television, digital and social media.
The NBA is celebrating the 25th anniversary of its first game in Mexico, and following NBA Global Games Mexico City 2017 the NBA will have staged 24 games in Mexico since 1992, the most NBA games held in any country outside the United States and Canada. The first official NBA destination for fans in the country (NBA.com/Mexico) launched in May 2014, while Mexico’s official online store (NBAtienda.com) launched in August 2013. The NBA is committed to developing basketball at the grassroots level in Mexico through programs like Liga Telmex NBA, Jr. NBA and NBA3X.