Retour
As the NBA prepares for its 35th game in Mexico, let’s look back at the league’s rich history of games in the country, dating back to 1992.
In the first NBA Mexico Game, Houston defeated Dallas behind Hakeem Olajuwon’s game-high 28 points.
1993
The Rockets weren’t as fortunate the following year, falling to the Knicks in their second NBA Mexico Game. New York’s Patrick Ewing and Charles Smith led with 20 points each.
1994
Marking the third straight year that the NBA held a preseason game in Mexico City, the Spurs took on the Rockets as part of the 1994 NBA Challenge. San Antonio’s Sean Elliott scored 27 points to lead the Spurs to victory.
The NBA Challenge in Mexico City featured four teams competing in a two-day tournament, showcasing the league’s efforts to expand its international presence and grow its global fan base. The SuperSonics defeated the Spurs in the championship game, while the Rockets beat the Clippers to claim third place.
1995
The second edition of the NBA Challenge featured three teams. San Antonio’s David Robinson scored 30 points in 30 minutes to lead the Spurs past the Bullets.
1996
Back in tournament style, Jason Kidd and the Mavericks defeated the Cavaliers to secure the NBA Challenge championship.
1997
The NBA hosted its first regular-season game in Mexico, in which Charles Barkley led the Rockets to a win with 19 points and 17 rebounds.
1999
Golden State’s Antawn Jamison led the Warriors in the preseason victory over the Nets.
2000
Philadelphia’s Allen Iverson posted 24 points as the 76ers defeated the Wizards.
2003
As the Mavericks got the victory, Eduardo Nájera scored 8 points in 33 minutes in front of his home crowd.
2006
Hosted at Arena de Monterrey, this was the first time NBA Mexico Games didn’t take place in Palacio de los Deportes.
2009
Monterrey hosted another NBA preseason game in 2009 with Philadelphia’s Andre Iguodala scoring 23 points in the win.
2010
Back at Palacio de los Deportes, San Antonio’s Dejuan Blair scored 21 in the win.
2012
2012 No. 1 overall pick Anthony Davis made his preseason debut.
2014
In the first regular season game in Mexico since 1997, Houston’s Dwight Howard took over, going for 22 points and 10 rebounds, leading the Rockets to the 113-101 victory over Minnesota in November of 2014.
The first regular-season game played in Mexico since 1997. James Harden had 23 points and 10 assists in front of fans in Mexico City Arena.
2015
Boston’s Isaiah Thomas led the Celtics with 21 points.
2017
NBA Global Games Mexico 2017 marked the 25th anniversary of the NBA’s games in Mexico.
First year Mexico hosted four regular-season games in a calendar year.
2018
Orlando won both regular-season games in Mexico, led by Nikola Vučević and Evan Fournier.
2019
Luka Dončić (41 points, 12 rebounds, 11 assists) recorded the first-ever triple-double in an NBA game played in Mexico.
– First player in @NBAHistory to post a triple-double in a game played outside of the USA/Canada
– First player in @NBAHistory with multiple 40-point triple-doubles before turning 21Luka Doncic earns #SAPStatLineOfTheNight in Mexico City. pic.twitter.com/1Tmg4rjszk
— NBA.com/Stats (@nbastats) December 13, 2019
2022
Jimmy Butler led the Heat with 26 points on the 30th anniversary of the first NBA game played in Mexico.
2023
Trae Young dropped 41 points and eight assists, along with a game-winning dime to Dejounte Murray with 30 seconds left in the Hawks’ victory.
Trae Young put on a SHOW in the NBA's Mexico City Game ‼️ 🤩
41 PTS
8 AST
5 3PM
1 Win@ATLHawks pulled out the late-game THRILLER to move to 5-3! #NBAenMéxico pic.twitter.com/KsJXqm2rjz— NBA (@NBA) November 10, 2023
2024
Bam Adebayo scored 32 points and 14 rebounds and Jaime Jaquez Jr. recorded 8 points and 10 rebounds in his father’s home country.
2025
Jalen Duren (33 points and 10 rebounds) and Cade Cunningham (21 points and career-high 18 assists) were a spectacular tandem in Detroit’s win in Mexico City.
A CAREER NIGHT FOR JALEN DUREN 🤩
▪️ 33 PTS (career-high)
▪️ 13-16 FGM (81.2 FG%)
▪️ 10 REB
▪️ 29 MIN
▪️ 1 W in Mexico City pic.twitter.com/LWSHMQU9zY— NBA (@NBA) November 2, 2025