The 76ers and Celtics meet at the O2 Arena on January 11

Philadelphia 76ers basketball star Ben Simmons cannot wait to bring the game to London and the O2 Arena when they are due to come up against Boston Celtics in January.

The 21-year-old Australian has spent a lengthy spell on the sidelines having picked up a broken bone in his right foot in September of last year, which ruled him out for the remainder of his first campaign.

But he has returned full of vigour entered the history books when he became just the third player to record a triple-double within his first four games after posting 21 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists in the 76ers’ 97-86 win over Detroit Pistons on Monday.

Simmons now just hopes he can continue that form into their next game against the Boston Celtics, where he is likely to come up against his compatriot and point guard Kyrie Irving, as he will do in January when

the NBA comes to London.

“When you get a guard switched on to me, it’s tough to not post him up and then not get the ball in there. But at the same time, you’re playing guys who are All-Stars -- Kyrie, John Wall, and they’re great players,” he said.

“So I have a lot to learn from just watching them and how they play, which is great for me. But at the same time, I want to come out there with the same energy and confidence.”

And while looking forward to bringing the game to the UK, he hopes to be able to play a part in taking it to his native Australia in the not too distant future.

“I definitely want the NBA to go out to Australia, and definitely the team I’m on, Philadelphia, I want them to go out there and play.

“That would be amazing if we could do that. I think it will come. It’s going to be a great time when it happens.”

The Philadelphia 76ers host the Boston Celtics at The O2 in London on January 11 as part of NBA Global Games London 2017. The game is live on BT Sport or via NBA LEAGUE PASS at http://www.nba.tv.