The NBA is bouncing back to Jacksonville in October, marking the third straight year a preseason game will be played locally.
Both teams will be coming off playoff seasons when the Atlanta Hawks and New Orleans Pelicans face off at Veterans Memorial Arena on Oct. 9.
The Hawks posted the best record in the Eastern Conference, making it to the conference finals. The Pelicans made the playoffs as the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference.
It will be the third year the Pelicans have played in Jacksonville.
“The City of Jacksonville continues to do a tremendous job of supporting the NBA and hosting a great event for basketball fans in the area,” said Dell Demps, Pelicans general manager.
The Hawks last played in Jacksonville in 2009 for an exhibition with the Miami Heat.
Last year, the Pelicans played the Washington Wizards in a game that drew 7,719 fans. In 2013, the Pelicans played the Orlando Magic before 9,274 fans.
Tickets are on sale at the arena box office. For more information, visit jaxevents.com.