David Beckham leads star-studded cast at court side as Man Utd legend watches NBA Paris Game
DAVID BECKHAM headed up a superstar cast of fans that attended tonight’s NBA Paris game.
This year’s Accor Arena showpiece saw the Brooklyn Nets and Cleveland Cavaliers pop across the Atlantic for a Parisian showdown.
Around 15,000 fans packed into the stands to get a glimpse of the best league in the world up close.
Among them was Manchester United legend Beckham.
The former England captain, 48, beamed as he was hugged from behind by San Antonio Spurs legend Tony Parker.
Golden Balls is a huge basketball fan, having frequently been to watch the Lakers during his stint with LA Galaxy.
Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbappe also took advantage of the opportunity to watch NBA basketball in his home city.
The forward, 25, sat court side alongside his brother Ethan.
While their PSG team-mate Gianluigi Donnarumma was also in attendance.
Fans also applauded during a first quarter time-out as NBA icons Channing Frye and Anderson Varejeo were introduced.
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While fans also got excited as musician Pharrell Williams was introduced during the second quarter.
The superstars in attendance headed to Accor Arena to watch two teams in contrasting form.
The Nets went into tonight’s game having won just three of their last 14 – with two of those triumphs having come against the lowly Detroit Pistons.
Amid their recent slump, Nets forward Cam Johnson claimed that this week’s trip to Paris has given them an opportunity to “reflect”.
The 27-year-old said: “That break definitely allows us some reflection time where we can really dig deep and take some time to try and iron things out, which we have done over the last two days.
“It’s building conversations, tough conversations. All we’re trying to do is figure things out and get on the same page, and I think they were two productive days and I hope they’re beneficial for us.”
The Cavs, meanwhile, arrived in Paris sitting sixth in the East at 21-15, despite being without the likes of Darius Garland and Evan Mobley for an extended stretch.
Going into the game, coach J.B. Bickerstaff described it as a “huge honour” to have been selected to play in Paris.
He said: “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.”