According to ESPN’s Shams Charania and Brian Windhorst, the NBA is returning to China for the first time since 2019. The Brooklyn Nets and Phoenix Suns are set to play two preseason games in Macao, marking a major step in rebuilding the league’s relationship with the country.
This return follows a difficult period for the NBA after Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey tweeted in support of the Hong Kong protests in 2019. The tweet led to a significant fallout, with NBA games being removed from Chinese television broadcasts and the loss of key sponsorships. The league suffered hundreds of millions in losses as a result.
However, the NBA’s relationship with China has improved over the years, largely thanks to efforts by NBA China CEO Michael Ma, who was appointed in 2020. Figures like Nets owner Joe Tsai, also co-founder of Alibaba, have played a critical role in facilitating the return of NBA games to China.
The preseason games will be held at the Venetian Arena in Macao, which previously hosted NBA events in 2007. The venue is part of the Las Vegas Sands conglomerate, which also has ties to the Dallas Mavericks. Patrick Dumont, COO of Las Vegas Sands, played a pivotal role in securing the NBA’s new partnership with Macao.
The NBA’s return to China is not only about games but also includes youth development programs and social initiatives in Macao. These programs aim to teach children about the values of basketball and support the sport’s growth in the region.
Basketball remains incredibly popular in China, and Macao is no exception. The city continues to be a key market for the NBA, and the return of the league to the country reflects basketball’s continued strength in the region. Between 2004 and 2019, the NBA hosted 28 preseason games in China, solidifying the country as a major destination for international NBA events.
