WATCH: Steph Curry holds real falcon after he lands in Abu Dhabi and is greeted by guard of honor

Team USA Basketball received a hero's welcome when they landed in Abu Dhabi for an exhibition game. A group of entertainers met the crew at their hotel and performed a traditional Emirati Ayyala dance. Players like LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant were all spotted enjoying the ceremonial greeting.

Stephen Curry was especially astonished when they arrived at the hotel and were greeted by a real falcon. The Golden State Warriors player even had the opportunity to handle the bird, a national icon. Curry couldn't believe his eyes when he first spotted the falcon, leaning in and dropping his jaw in amazement. He then used the chance to further his interest.

Watch here the full video:

Joel Embiid and Jrue Holiday’s reaction to Steph Curry holding the falcon 😂

(via @NBA)pic.twitter.com/bOxg56aWiD

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) July 12, 2024

The squad is playing two more exhibition matches against Serbia and Australia in Abu Dhabi. The national emblem of the United Arab Emirates is the golden falcon, sometimes called the Hawk of Quraish, and its capital is Abu Dhabi. To symbolize the seven Emirates, the falcon has seven tail feathers.

USA beat Canada in their exhibition game

Curry played for Team USA in 2010 and 2014, but not during their Olympic run in 2012, the last time James represented the USA before this year. Despite this, the two seasoned NBA superstars have never shared a court in the FIBA. Ever since they both announced that they would be playing for their native countries in Paris this summer, all eyes have been on their combined skills on the court.

In their exhibition game against Canada on Wednesday, they collaborated for a highlight in transition, with the Golden State Warriors' four-time champion chucking up a lob to the 39-year-old James. He released a collection of game images, including the alley-oop to James. Team USA is fresh off a comeback victory over Canada, overcoming an early double-digit deficit against their northern neighbors. Anthony Edwards led all scorers off the bench with 13 points and three rebounds, while Curry scored 12 and Jrue Holiday added 11.