Whatever the reason, basketball-starved Celtics fans were likely rejoicing on Friday, Oct. 4, as their team defeated the Denver Nuggets 107-103 in a preseason game in Abu Dhabi. Another happy tidbit is that the two teams will go toe-to-toe again on Sunday, Oct. 6, giving basketball fans the dopamine hit they've all been waiting for.

The NBA returned to the Persian Gulf on Friday for the third consecutive year. The preseason schedule for the 2023-24 season opened with the Boston Celtics beating the Denver Nuggets 107-103 in a matchup of the two most recent championship clubs.

The NBA preseason is here and the first game is on Friday, Oct. 4 and features the last two NBA champions with the Boston Celtics taking on the Denver Nuggets at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. The defending champion Celtics will be without starting center Kristaps Porzingis to start the season as he recovers from foot surgery.