On a festive Day of the Dead evening, Miami Heat turned up the temperature in Mexico City, leaving the Washington Wizards feeling more like sparklers than fireworks in a lopsided 118-98 victory. In front of a roaring, sold-out crowd of 20,328, the Heat not only stole the show but also ignited talk of NBA and WNBA expansion into Mexico – where tacos and jump shots just might mix.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver took the stage with bold proclamations about Mexico’s potential as a new frontier for both leagues. Silver’s enthusiasm for “Mexico’s team” even gave fans a glimpse of what a permanent home court in the bustling metropolis could look like. “I think if we were to come here, we’d be Mexico’s team, not just Mexico City’s,” Silver said with a twinkle in his eye, likely imagining the merchandise sales soaring faster than a fast break. “It would be a gateway into Latin America.”
The expansion talk, of course, didn’t end with the NBA – Silver also hinted that the WNBA might bring some serious three-point swagger south of the border. The women’s league, he noted, is basking in a record-breaking 2024 season, with ratings that could make even the most skeptical fans do a double-take. And with Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese lighting up the court in their rookie seasons, it’s easy to see why Silver thinks Mexico could be a “safe path” for the WNBA to ride its rising wave of popularity.
The Heat players brought enough energy to the court to make even a skeleton dance. Jaime Jaquez Jr., Miami’s own Mexican-American marvel, played hero in front of the home crowd. It was a career highlight for Jaquez, especially on a night filled with Day of the Dead festivities – although his opponents may argue the Wizards’ offense was six feet under. Bam Adebayo was an unstoppable force, racking up 32 points and 14 rebounds, with Jimmy Butler casually chipping in 18. Meanwhile, the Wizards – bless their hearts – did their best to keep up but couldn’t seem to find the basket with GPS.
Washington’s rookie squad, including French standout Bilal Coulibaly (22 points) and Jordan Poole (21 points), showed flashes of talent but were ultimately overmatched. Between the Wizards’ deep shooting woes and their inability to grab boards (out-rebounded 65-44 by Miami), it seemed like the only things landing were the Heat’s threes.
The game wasn’t the only show in town. NBA Legends Goran Dragic, Alonzo Mourning, and Drew Gooden made appearances, delighting fans. Mexico’s own Horacio Llamas, the first Mexican to play in the NBA, was there too, further hyping the crowd. The Day of the Dead backdrop, the electrifying atmosphere, and the calls for an NBA team in Mexico made the night feel like a historic crossover episode.
With a multi-year deal between the NBA and Zignia Live, Mexico City will be seeing more regular-season games in the future. And if Silver has his way, fans in sombreros and Lucha Libre masks won’t just be watching U.S. teams play; they’ll be cheering for one of their own.
In the meantime, the Wizards might need more than a magic spell to shake off this loss, and Mexico may have just put the “Heat” in “home court advantage.” As for the rest of Latin America? Well, it seems the NBA and WNBA are saying, “¿Por qué no?”
