The NBA has announced that the New York Knicks and Washington Wizards will meet in the 2019 London game.The two franchises are scheduled to meet at the O2 Arena on January 17. This will be the league's ninth regular-season encounter in London as part of its Global Games series.This will be the Wizards' first trip across the pond but it'll be the third appearance for the Knicks after they faced the Detroit Pistons in 2013 and the Milwaukee Bucks in 2015.According to the NBA, all of the previous eight games have been sellouts as the popularity continues to grow each year."We've been playing regular-season match-ups in London for nearly a decade, and over that time the games and the surrounding festivities have grown into the equivalent of an NBA All-Star experience transported to Europe," NBA commissioner Adam Silver said after the game announcement."Fans and partners from across the continent come to celebrate basketball and enjoy the excitement and experience of an NBA game."

Success

The game has become a huge hit with fans in the UK and last season's clash between the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers - arguably the most high-profile showdown - saw tickets sold out within minutes.

"Bringing regular-season NBA games to London has become a staple of the sports calendar and is testament to the popularity of our league that fans from across Europe will descend on The O2 for another great game,” said NBA EME Senior Vice President and Managing Director Benjamin Morel.

Fans inside the O2 will be treated to the talents of Washington's exciting All-Star duo John Wall and Bradley Beal for the first time.

“It will be an honor to represent the Washington Wizards organisation as we play our first game in the UK," Wall said. "I look forward to connecting with our fans in London and using the experience to further bond as a team.”

One man who was part of the previous Knicks team to feature in London was Tim Hardaway Jr. and he's looking forward to the experience once again.

“I am excited to return to London. We had a great experience during our last visit in 2015 playing in front of passionate fans and are looking forward to another trip overseas,” he said.

Another sell-out crowd is expected for next season's matchup and it should prove to be a wonderful game yet again.

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