NBLxNBA Games to Return: Loeliger

Commissioner Jeremy Loeliger has confirmed NBL teams will be travelling to America later this year to play NBA sides in the preseason.

The NBLxNBA matches haven’t been played since 2019 but Loeliger has revealed the highly popular concept will return.

“We will be playing at least two games, but we are still in discussions with a few further teams, so it could be more. The specifics of teams and match-ups are still being worked through,” Loeliger told The Age.

“The reception from the NBA clubs has been absolutely outstanding – a number of them have reached out to us directly or via NBA head office requesting that NBL teams travel for their pre-season competition.

“It will be interesting to see if any teams from other countries or competitions from around the world will also be taking part, but my understanding is that we’re very much at the top of NBA clubs’ list.”

Loeliger also told Newscorp the NBL will “leave no stone unturned” to try and organise a game against Josh Giddey’s Oklahoma City Thunder.

There have been 15 NBLxNBA games since 2017.