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The L.A. Clippers will play in China later this year.

The National Basketball Association (NBA) announced today that the Los Angeles Clippers will participate in the NBA Global Games China 2015 and play two preseason games against the Charlotte Hornets in Shenzen and Shanghai this October.

“Returning to China to participate in the NBA Global Games China is another important step in establishing the Clippers as a first-class international franchise,” Clippers Owner Steve Ballmer said. “We are looking forward to representing Los Angeles and the NBA as we bring our exciting brand of basketball to all of our fans in China.”

The Clippers will be making their second visit to China after taking part in the Global Games in 2012 against the Miami Heat. The Clippers also have recently played international preseason games in Mexico City (2010) and Russia (2006).

The Clippers and Hornets will play the NBA’s first game ever in Shenzhen when they meet on Oct. 11 at the Shenzhen Universiade Center, followed by a rematch in Shanghai on Oct. 14 at the Mercedes-Benz Arena. The games in China will be part of NBA Global Games 2015, with additional games announced at a later date.

The announcement took place today in Shenzhen with NBA China CEO David Shoemaker and Deputy Director of Shenzhen Municipal Bureau of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ke Gangming. Eight-time NBA All-Star and NBA Global Ambassador Dikembe Mutombo also participated in the announcement and hosted a basketball clinic for fans.

NBA Global Games China 2015 will feature a variety of off-court activities including NBA Cares community programs. The games are supported by promoters AEG Live Asia and iRENA Group, as well as several marketing and merchandising partners, and will be available worldwide on television, digital and social media.

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.

For information on the NBA’s growth and international games history visit NBA.com/global.

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