The Long Island Nets to Play Six “Home” Games in Montreal Next Season
The Long Island Nets, the Brooklyn Nets’ G League affiliate, have announced that they will be playing six “home” games in Montreal, Quebec, next season. This decision comes as part of the upcoming season schedule, set to kick off on Nov. 8.
Details regarding the Montreal games have not been fully disclosed, but sources suggest that more information could be released as early as Wednesday. The six games are scheduled to be played in three separate two-game stints:
- Friday, Jan. 24 vs. Raptors 905
- Sunday, Jan. 26 vs. Raptors 905
- Wednesday, Feb. 5 vs. Greensboro Swarm
- Saturday, Feb. 8 vs. Delaware Blue Coats
- Thursday, March 13 vs. Memphis Hustle
- Friday, March 14 vs. Memphis Hustle
All of these games will take place at Place Bell, a 10,000-seat arena that currently hosts the Laval Rocket, the AHL affiliate of the Montreal Canadiens, as well as the Montreal PWHL team.
The Long Island Nets are currently based at Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, a historic arena that has been the home of various sports teams in the past. However, with plans to transfer the lease on the building to Las Vegas Sands for a casino project, the future home of the Long Island Nets remains uncertain.
While the Brooklyn Nets will not be relocating, the decision to play games in Montreal could be a strategic move to explore potential relocation options for the G League franchise. Additionally, the NBA may use this opportunity to gauge fan interest in professional basketball in Montreal, a city that has shown interest in potentially hosting an expansion franchise in the future.
Commissioner Adam Silver has acknowledged the growing interest in basketball in Canada, with cities like Montreal and Vancouver being considered for potential expansion. This move by the Long Island Nets to play in Montreal could be a step towards further establishing the city as a basketball market.
Montreal has previously hosted NBA preseason games, and the upcoming game between the Toronto Raptors and Washington Wizards in October will mark the eighth “NBA Canada Series” game in the city. This demonstrates the city’s growing appeal as a destination for professional basketball.
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