NBA makes China comeback with Brooklyn-Phoenix pre-season clash in Macau

The National Basketball Association (NBA) is all set to bounce back to the Asian circuit, returning to China for the first time in six years by staging two sold-out preseason games in Macau.

According to an official statement from the NBA, both games sold out within hours of tickets going on sale. The Brooklyn Nets and Phoenix Suns will face off at the Venetian Arena on October 10 and October 12.

This marks the NBA's first return to China since 2019, when ties were severed following a tweet by then-Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey in support of the Hong Kong protests.

The controversy led to game broadcasts being pulled from Chinese television and a significant financial setback for the league. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver later confirmed the fallout cost the NBA “hundreds of millions of dollars.”

Between 2004 and 2019, a total of 17 NBA teams played 28 pre-season games in China, where the fanbase is massive — with over 125 million people reportedly playing basketball. The NBA first arrived in China in 1979, and its following has steadily grown ever since.

The league's return was sealed last year with a multi-million-dollar agreement to host pre-season games in Macau.

The controversy

In 2019, then-Houston Rockets general manager Morey tweeted his support for the Hong Kong protesters, sparking a major backlash that led to the NBA withdrawing from China. The suspension of game broadcasts by Chinese networks caused the league to suffer significant financial losses, estimated in the hundreds of millions.

Other programmes

In addition to the two exhibition games, a week-long series of sports, community, and cultural events will bring together NBA players, legends, and local fans. From youth clinics and charity visits to the debut of the first-ever NBA House in Macau, the city will host a variety of engaging activities.

Players' presence

The Brooklyn Nets will be led by shooting guard Cam Thomas, whose scoring bursts have made him one of the league’s most exciting young players. Michael Porter (junior), the forward whose championship experience brings veteran control to the lineup. Chinese prospect Fanbo Zeng will also attract attention.

For the Phoenix Suns, the spotlight will be on Devin Booker, an All-Star and one of the NBA’s best scorers, along with Bradley Beal and Jalen Green.

As many as 10 NBA legends will attend events throughout the week, including Vince Carter, Kevin Garnett, Tim Hardaway (senior), Jeremy Lin, Stephon Marbury, Shawn Marion, Yao Ming, Shaquille O’Neal, Mitch Richmond, and Deron Williams. They will be joined by WNBA champion Myisha Hines-Allen of the Dallas Wings.