Philadelphia 76ers will take on the Boston Celtics at the O2 Arena on January 11, 2018 in arguably the biggest NBA regular season game to ever take place in London.
The Sixers are confirmed as the home team for the regular season clash in the British capital.
The news follows the announcement that the Brooklyn Nets will play two regular season games in Mexico City in December when they take on the Oklahoma City Thunder on the 7th and Miami Heat on the 9th.
The Celtics, the NBA’s most successful franchise with 17 NBA titles, come into this season having finished first in the Eastern Conference, going all the way to the Conference finals where they were pipped by the Cleveland Cavaliers. They will have a host of stars coming to London including, 2017 NBA All-Star Gordon Hayward, four-time NBA All-Star Al Horford and two-time NBA All-Star Isaiah Thomas.
“It’s very exciting for our team and the whole Celtics organisation to compete in front of our loyal fans in London,” said Thomas. “I can’t wait to connect with them at the NBA London Game 2018 and hopefully make new fans in the process.”
On the other side, the 76ers boast one of the best young teams in the league and will bring the number one picks from 2016 and 2017, Markelle Fultz and Ben Simmons to the capital, alongside established star Joel Embiid and the popular Croatian Dario Saric.
Afternoon Tea with @JoelEmbiid!
Joel sits down with @JohnAmaechi for some tea and to discuss the upcoming #NBALondon Game! pic.twitter.com/rzOc9WD2fD
— NBA (@NBA) August 10, 2017
“I look forward to coming back to London with the Sixers after visiting for the first time this summer,” added Embiid. “We are a young, hungry team and will be sure to give the fans an exciting game against Boston in January.”
“I am delighted the NBA continues to bring the world’s best basketball to our great city in what has now become a well-established and eagerly anticipated event on London’s sporting calendar,” commented London Mayor Sadiq Khan.
“I know Londoners will be thrilled to see the Philadelphia 76ers and Boston Celtics up close at our world-famous O2. I am determined to make sure London remains the sporting capital of the world, and a key part of that is bringing major sports events here. It is also important that those major events provide important community benefits, which the NBA does so well. I look forward to welcoming visitors from the UK, Europe and across the globe and showing once again that London is open.”
