The Heat are taking their talents even further south this fall.
The NBA announced Friday that this year’s NBA Mexico City Game will see the Washington Wizards face the Miami Heat at Arena CDMX in Mexico City on Saturday, Nov. 2, in a 'home' game for the Wiz.
The game, which will be hosted by Zignia Liva, was announced during the first-ever NBA House in Mexico, an interactive fan event ahead of Game 4 of the NBA Finals Friday night.
“Bringing the Heat and the Wizards to Mexico City next season in conjunction with ‘Día de los Muertos’ will mark another special milestone in the NBA’s long history in Mexico,” NBA Mexico Senior Vice President and Managing Director Raul Zarraga said in a release. “The game and surrounding events will serve as the ultimate celebration of the NBA for fans in Mexico and across Latin America at a time when the momentum around basketball in the region is at an all-time high.”
This will be the 33rd NBA game in Mexico since 1992, the most any country outside the U.S. and Canada has hosted, and the theme of ‘Dia de los Muertos’ (Day of the Dead) will be prevalent in the arena, including with a specially-themed court.
“We are excited to return to Mexico City to bring a little of Miami’s HEAT to the passionate fans of such a vibrant city,” The HEAT Group President of Business Operations Eric Woolworth said. “Participating in these NBA Global Games allows us to engage with a broader basketball-loving community.”
This will be the Heat's third game in Mexico in franchise history, and a homecoming for Heat forward Jaime Jaquez Jr., last year's No. 18 pick and an All-Rookie Team selection who is of Mexican descent - his father's roots are in Guadalajara, about seven hours north of Mexico City.
Miami is 2-0 in Mexico city games, having defeated the Nets in December 2017 and the Spurts in December 2022.
For those interested in going, fans can register their interest in tickets and receive access to an exclusive pre-sale on July 10 and 11 at www.nbamexicocitygame.mx. Tickets for the game will go on sale to the public on July 12, and the NBA is offering special ticket packages with premium access, VIP experiences, hospitality and local hotel accommodations at https://nbaexperiences.com/nba-mexico-city-game-2024.
Orlando faced Atlanta in last season’s Mexico City game, and NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has said in the past that Mexico City would be in consideration if and when the league expands again.