On March 15, Rakuten Group Co., Ltd. (hereinfollowing referred to as “Rakuten”) and NBA announced that they will hold “NBA Japan Games 2022 Presented by Rakuten”. Two teams, the Golden State Warriors and the Washington Wizards, will be visiting Japan this time to play two pre-season games at Saitama Super Arena on September 30th (Friday) and October 2nd (Sunday), 2022. Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green belong to the Warriors, and Rui Hachimura, Bradley Beal and Kyle Kuzma belong to the Wizards. This is the first time for both teams to visit Japan.
Hiroshi Mikitani (Chairman and President of Rakuten Group, Inc.)
“The partnership with the NBA for regarding five years has united fans all over Japan and contributed to the further development of the basketball world at home and abroad. Rakuten connects people and society, which are indispensable in today’s global society. I believe that sports are the power. I am very pleased to be able to hold the NBA match once more in Japan with the arrival of our official partners Golden State Warriors and Washington Wizards. “
Adam Silver (NBA Commissioner)
“We are very excited to bring this pre-season game to Japanese fans once once more. The NBA is very popular in Japan and is ongoing by President Mikitani and Rakuten to further develop basketball. Thank you for your efforts. “
Scott Livie (NBA Asia Managing Director)
“Rakuten has been an exclusive NBA distribution partner since 2017, bringing the NBA’s appeal directly to Japanese fans through every unique experience. NBA and Rakuten have been special to the Japanese basketball world through a long-standing partnership. We’ll give Japanese fans the opportunity to witness a thrilling match between the Warriors and Wizards at an event that promises to be a moment. “
Joe Reikob (CEO and Co-Executive Chairman of the Golden State Warriors)
“We are very grateful that the Warriors and Wizards, who have a brilliant history, have been selected for the 2022 NBA pre-season in Japan, which has the world’s most enthusiastic NBA fans. In our partnership with, we have been able to build many influential relationships across Japan. Players, including Stephen Curry, have always interacted with basketball fans in Tokyo. We believe that this Japan Games will deepen our ties with our partners and fans, and it is a great pleasure and honor to be able to experience the wonderful culture of Japan as a whole team. I believe this match will cross the border and bring us all together. “
Ted Leonsis (Washington Wizards / Founder and CEO of Monumental Sports and Entertainment)
“As a representative of the NBA, I am very honored to have the opportunity to show a wonderful basketball game in front of Japanese fans. In particular, I can see Rui Hachimura playing in front of the Japanese people. We are very much looking forward to it. About three years ago, we welcomed him with a great young talent to our team and we are proud to have watched over his growth as a player ever since. At home, Washington DC, we celebrate the cherry blossoms presented by the then mayor of Tokyo more than 100 years ago every year, and we have a special connection with the Japanese people. Celebrating the cultures of both Japan and the United States. We look forward to playing once morest the Golden State Warriors and increasing the number of new basketball fans we love. “
Match information and ticket sales methods will be announced on the special website that opened today.
