The U.S. basketball team received a hero’s welcome upon arriving in Abu Dhabi ahead of a planned exhibition game.
The team was welcomed at their hotel by a group of artists who performed a traditional Emirati Ayyala dance.
Players like LeBron James, Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant were seen receiving the ceremonial welcome.
Curry was particularly surprised that there was a live falcon greeting them at the hotel.
The Golden State Warriors star even got a chance to hold the bird, which is a national symbol.
Steph Curry had the chance to hold a falcon during the USA Basketball team’s welcome to Abu Dhabi
Team USA is coming off a comeback win over Canada in an exhibition game.
Team USA is coming off a comeback win over Canada after erasing an early double-digit deficit to their northern rivals.
Anthony Edwards led all scorers off the bench with 13 points and three rebounds, while Curry scored 12 points and Jrue Holiday scored 11 points.
Anthony Davis also had a big game, coming off the bench and posting a double-double of 10 points and 11 rebounds on the night.
The U.S. team will play two games in Abu Dhabi: one against Australia and one against fellow Olympic team members Serbia.
Three days after that second friendly, they will play another of their group mates in South Sudan in a friendly match in London, followed by an exhibition match against Germany in the English capital just before the start of the Olympic Games.
From there, Team USA will play its three group stage matches in Lille: first against Serbia, then South Sudan before finishing against Puerto Rico.
