London NBA games cancelled

The scheduled NBA games set for London ahead of the London 2012 Olympic Games have been cancelled following the labour dispute that led to the start of the NBA season being abandoned.

The New Jersey Nets and Orlando Magic had been due to play regular-season games at the O2 Arena as part of an effort to promote basketball in the lead up to the Olympics, but the league has now confirmed that the games have been called off.

A shortened 66-game schedule, starting on Christmas Day, was released by the league this week, with no room for the London dates – originally scheduled for 7th and 8th March.

It is still planned for the NBA to return to the UK for pre-season games in 2012 and 2013.