Hornets, Clippers will play 2 preseason games in China

Mar 25, 2015 - 2:07 PM New York, NY (SportsNetwork.com) - The Charlotte Hornets will play the Los Angeles Clippers in two preseason games in China in October, the NBA announced Wednesday.

The Hornets and Clippers will play the NBA's first game in Shenzhen on Oct. 11, followed by a rematch in Shanghai on Oct. 14.

The games in China will be part of NBA Global Games 2015, with additional games to be announced at a later date.

"Basketball is more popular than ever, and Global Games China 2015 is part of our ongoing commitment to growing the game in the world's most populous nation," said NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. "These games will not only bring the excitement of NBA action directly to Chinese fans, but will also provide the league another opportunity to experience the rich history and culture of China."

The NBA in 2004 became the first American professional sports league to compete in China, with two exhibition games between the Houston Rockets and the Sacramento Kings in Shanghai and Beijing. Following NBA Global Games China 2015, the NBA will have played 20 games in Greater China since 2004. The NBA is the most popular sports league in China, and basketball is the nation's number one team sport, with 300 million people playing the game.