NBA set for London return - Brooklyn Nets to take on Atlanta Hawks at O2 Arena in January



The glitz and glamour of the NBA will return to London in January next year when the Brooklyn Nets take on the Atlanta Hawks in a regular-season match at the O2 Arena.



The NBA today announced the match as the fourth regular-season contest in as many years to be played in London following last season’s sell-out success between the New York Knicks and the Detroit Pistons.



The game will take place on January 16, 2014 with tickets to go on sale in October 2013.



Lift off: The NBA will return to London next year when the Brooklyn Nets host the Atlanta Hawks

On the move: The Nets relocated to Brooklyn from New Jersey at the start of last season Stars on show: Atlanta's Al Horford will be one of the stars in action at London's O2 Arena The match in London was confirmed as part of a two-game global series with NBA finalists the San Antonio Spurs set to take on the Minnesota Timberwolves in Mexico City on December 4, 2013.

San Antonio were beaten 4-3 by the Miami Heat in a thrilling NBA Finals series earlier this month.

NBA commissioner David Stern said: ‘With the addition of regular-season games in London and Mexico City, we will play one of the most comprehensive international games schedules in our history next season.

Spurred on: San Antonio will take on Minnesota in a regular-season match in Mexico City in December Tough: The Hawks made it to the play-offs last season but lost 4-2 to Indiana in the first round Return: Nets star guard Deron Williams was part of USA's team that won Olympic gold in London last year 'Through these games we will bring the NBA experience to more fans and provide showcases for basketball and the extraordinary talent of our players.’

The match between the Nets and Hawks will be the 12th NBA game in London dating back to 1993 and the eighth to be played at the O2 Arena since 2007. The Nets relocated from New Jersey to Brooklyn last year into their start-of-the-art new arena called the Barclays Center. Since their relocation, helped by former minority shareholder Jay Z, the Nets have started to form a local rivalry with New York’s other team, the Knicks.

Man in charge: Former NBA player Jason Kidd will coach the Brooklyn Nets next season Star power: Former minority shareholder Jay Z helped Brooklyn relocate from New Jersey last year Leading the Atlanta Hawks, who have made it to the play-offs six years in a row, will be two-time NBA All-Star Al Horford.

Altanta were beaten 4-2 in the first round of the play-offs by the Indiana Pacers last season, and Brooklyn also fell at the same stage as they went down 4-3 to the Chicago Bulls.

Among the stars on show for the Nets will be three-time NBA All-Star Deron Williams, who has fond memories of London. Williams was part of the USA team that won Olympic gold in 2012 at the O2 Arena, then known as North Greenwich Arena. Flash: Brooklyn play their home matches at the brand new state-of-the-art Barclays Center

Brooklyn have also named a new head coach in former player Jason Kidd, who enjoyed an illustrious 19-year playing career in the NBA.



The Brooklyn Nets dancers, known as the Brooklynettes, came to London last month.



In pictures made available exclusively to Sportsmail, the dancers visited some of the capital’s most iconic landmarks and among their adventures was a trip to the top of The Shard – London’s tallest building – as well as a climb up The O2.



The NBA had already scheduled a pre-season match in Manchester between Philadelphia 76ers and 2012 NBA finalists the Oklahoma City Thunder.

