The Timberwolves played Game 1 of their two-game preseason trip to Abu Dhabi on Thursday, with the second coming Saturday. The Wolves are a part of the second annual trip the league has made to the United Arab Emirates as part of its Global Games series.
The trip is more than just a place to play exhibition games for the league and the team. The Wolves are helping the NBA in its efforts to grow the game and reach new audiences in the region.
The NBA says, citing market research company YouGov, there are three million NBA fans in the UAE, and the league has attempted to expand its reach there by starting Jr.