Atlanta Hawks coach Nate McMillan targets lasting legacy from NBA Abu Dhabi Games

Atlanta Hawks head coach Nate McMillan is determined that the upcoming NBA Abu Dhabi Games will leave a lasting legacy for the sport in the UAE.

The Hawks face 2021 champions Milwaukee Bucks in two pre-season games on October 6 and 8 at the Etihad Arena as top-level NBA action arrives in the UAE for the first time.

And McMillan, whose team were beaten 4-1 by Miami Heat in the first round of the Eastern Conference play-offs last season, is fully aware of the importance and potential of the two matches on Yas Island.

“These are two exciting young teams and we want to expose our game as a celebration of the NBA’s first game ever in Abu Dhabi,” McMillan said after his team’s final workout on Wednesday.

“We will play hard, work on our game and see where we are and try to improve.

“The players are well aware how important these games are, not only as pre-season games but to the community here and promoting the NBA to be a global brand. We know the importance of how we play these two games.

“We want to create an impact in Abu Dhabi and the region. We are just honoured NBA selected us along with the Bucks to be a part of exposing our game to this community and the country. I expect both the teams to come over and play hard and play well.”

The Bucks, meanwhile, were unable to repeat their historic success of 2021 when they captured their first NBA championship in 50 years after beating Phoenix Suns 4-2.

Despite losing the first two of the best-of-seven series, the Bucks fought back to win only their second title, the other victory coming in 1971.

But any hopes of a repeat success last season were ended in the Eastern Conference semi-finals when they were beaten 4-3 by the Boston Celtics – who would go on to lose to Golden State