Brooklyn Nets, Sacramento Kings to Play Beijing Pre-Season Game in October

On Thursday the NBA announced its annual October Global Games stops in Beijing and Shanghai, pitting the Brooklyn Nets versus the Sacramento Kings at Wukesong's MasterCard Center on Wednesday, Oct 15.

One player is particularly excited about the trip. "There’s a huge interest in basketball in China. We went there in 2008 in Beijing for the Olympics; it was crazy. Every NBA player is treated like a god," said Nets forward Andrei Kirilenko.

It's a first visit to China for both teams. Sacramento's arrival makes them the third California team to make the trip in two years, with the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors playing the pre-season games here in 2013. With four games left to play in the NBA regular season, Sacramento has been eliminated while Brooklyn has clinched a playoff spot, so it's still possible the NBA champion team may roll into Beijing next autumn.

The two teams will also play at Shanghai's Mercedes-Benz Arena on Oct 12, for fans who just can't get enough.

If 2013 was any indication, tickets will go on sale in August, and sell out faster than [insert basketball cliche here].

Photo: Forbes