J.B. Bickerstaff: ‘A Huge Honor’ For Cavaliers To Play In Paris

Cleveland's head coach described how his team is grateful for the chance represent the NBA globally on Thursday.

This past July, the NBA announced that the Cleveland Cavaliers would be playing a regular-season game in Paris, France on January 11, 2024.

That game is now just two days away.

The Wine and Gold will be facing the Brooklyn Nets for the second time this season. The two teams last met in their respective season-openers in Brooklyn, with the Cavaliers earning a thrilling 114-113 victory.

Thursday will mark the third regular-season game played in Paris in NBA history. The Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Charlotte Hornets on January 24, 2020, and the Chicago Bulls defeated the Detroit Pistons on January 19, 2023.

Cleveland’s next contest will also mark its first regular-season game played in Europe in franchise history.

During his media availability on Tuesday, Cavaliers Head Coach J.B. Bickerstaff described how much it means to have the chance to play their next game in Paris.

“It’s a regular-season game, so it has a big impact and big meaning for us. But to be selected by the NBA is a huge honor. To come over here, represent the NBA. Everybody didn’t get this opportunity, so our guys won’t take that for granted. We understand what it is to represent the NBA on a global stage, so it’ll definitely be special for us.”

Jan 7, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers head coach J. B. Bickerstaff reacts in the second quarter against the San Antonio Spurs at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse / © David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

The Wine and Gold are in the midst of one of their best stretches of basketball this season. 

In their 11 games since the announcements of both Darius Garland’s and Evan Mobley’s long-term injuries, Cleveland has gone 8-3. The team’s three losses in this span are tied for the fewest in the NBA.

With a win against Brooklyn on Thursday, the Cavaliers would not only tie their longest winning streak of the season (four games), but also earn their first-ever regular-season victory on European soil.