China set to host first NBA preseason games since 2019

By Reuters

Published Dec 6, 2024, 5:10:04 PM

Dec 5, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal (3) brings the ball up court against New Orleans Pelicans guard Javonte Green (4) during the second half at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

Reuters - The NBA's relationship with China that turned cold over a general manager's tweet in 2019 is defrosting with the announcement Friday that two preseason games will be played in Macao in October.

The Brooklyn Nets and the Phoenix Suns will play on Oct. 10 and 12, 2025, at Macao's Venetian Arena, marking the first games since 17 NBA teams played 28 preseason contests in China from 2004 to 2019.

Basketball is extremely popular in China, and the market was worth hundreds of millions of dollars to the NBA. However, a rift was created when then-Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey tweeted support of anti-government protests in Hong Kong in October 2019.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver supported personal freedom of expression and did not punish Morey, the current GM of the Philadelphia 76ers.

Dec 5, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal (3) brings the ball up court against New Orleans Pelicans guard Javonte Green (4) during the second half at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

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