The NBA returned to Japan with a bang on Friday night as the Golden State Warriors defeated the Washington Wizards 96-87 in a sold-out Saitama Super Arena.
An upbeat crowd of 20,497 saved its loudest applause for Wizards star Rui Hachimura, who is entering his fourth NBA season after becoming the first Japanese player to be selected in the NBA Draft in 2019, and two-time league MVP Stephen Curry of the reigning world champions.
"I'm glad I could play as an NBA player in front of everyone in Japan," Hachimura said. "I feel like Japan and the NBA are becoming closer.