RIO DE JANEIRO – The National Basketball Association (NBA) announced today that the Orlando Magic will face Flamengo, the current champion of the Brazilian Pro-Basketball Tournament (Novo Basquete Brasil – NBB) and FIBA’s Intercontinental Cup, in NBA Global Games Rio 2015 on Oct. 17 at HSBC Arena.  This marks the third consecutive year that the league will play a preseason game in Brazil.

The game will be the second matchup between the two teams; the Magic defeated Flamengo 106-88 on Oct. 15, 2014, in Orlando.  Flamengo is led by former NBA players Marquinhos of Brazil (New Orleans Hornets, 2006-07) and Walter Herrmann of Argentina (Charlotte Bobcats, 2006-07; Detroit Pistons, 2007-09).  Flamengo just finished the NBB’s qualifying round and is looking for its fourth Brazilian championship title (2008-09, 2012-13 and 2013-14).

Orlando’s NBA franchise since 1989, the Magic have seen great success in a relatively short history, winning five division championships (1995, 1996, 2008, 2009, 2010) and capturing the Eastern Conference title in 1995 and 2009.  This will be the eighth international NBA game for the Magic since 1993.

In addition to the on-court action, NBA Global Games Rio 2015 will feature a variety of activities off the court, including NBA Cares community programs.  The game also will be supported by a variety of partners and will be available to fans globally on television and digital media platforms, with significant social media support.  Ticket sales information and additional details will be released at a later date.

The matchup strengthens the groundbreaking multiyear partnership with Brazil’s Liga Nacional de Basquete (LNB) announced last December in an effort to continue to grow the game of basketball in Brazil.  In March, the NBA supported LNB’s All-Star celebration by bringing in new event partners and NBA Legend Horace Grant to participate in the weekend’s festivities.

NBA Global Games Rio 2015 is one of many games the league will play internationally next season.  NBA Global Games China 2015 will feature two preseason games in Shanghai and Shenzhen between the Charlotte Hornets and the Los Angeles Clippers in October.  The Boston Celtics and Sacramento Kings will play the league’s third regular-season game and 22^nd game overall in Mexico — the most NBA matchups held in any country outside the U.S. and Canada — when they meet on Dec. 3.  Additional NBA Global Games will be announced at a later date.

More information can be found at NBA.com.br, Facebook.com/NBABrasil, and on Twitter @NBABrasil.

Executive Quotes

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver:

“Basketball is more popular than ever, and Global Games Rio 2015 is a part of our continued commitment to growing the game.  We are thrilled to bring the authentic NBA experience to our fans in Brazil for a third consecutive year, and to have the honor of competing against a top Brazilian team in one of the world’s great cities.”

Orlando Magic Chief Executive Officer Alex Martins:

“We look forward to representing the Central Florida community and the NBA by showcasing our great community and our team.  Brazil has been a tremendous market for the Orlando Magic and Central Florida and this trip will certainly add to the partnership we have cultivated, especially as it relates to the tourism segment of our business and community.  We were excited to host Flamengo last year in the Amway Center and witnessed first-hand the passion of Brazilian basketball fans who attended the game.  We are certainly looking forward with great excitement to this opportunity.”

Flamengo Vice President of Olympic Sports Alexandre Póvoa:

“We are very proud to represent the ‘Liga Nacional de Basquete’ on this historic event that will celebrate the alliance between Brazilian basketball and the NBA. This game solidifies Flamengo’s internationalization process, which began with winning the Americas’ Championship League and FIBA’s Intercontinental Cup, followed by becoming the first Latin American team to compete in three NBA preseason games in the U.S., and now reaching its pinnacle with the realization of this game against the Orlando Magic in our home.  Flamengo fans and basketball lovers are already invited to our action-packed celebration on Oct. 17.”