The NBA is set to make its return to China after a two-year hiatus, with two preseason games scheduled in Macao between the Brooklyn Nets and Phoenix Suns in October. The NBA’s relationship with China soured in 2019 following a controversial tweet by Daryl Morey in support of protests in Hong Kong.
This rift resulted in the NBA losing valuable sponsorships and having its games temporarily pulled from Chinese broadcast television, leading to significant financial losses for the league in subsequent seasons.
Efforts have been made by the NBA to mend ties with China, with NBA China CEO Michael Ma playing a pivotal role in the reconciliation process.
The games in Macao will take place at the Venetian Arena, which is owned by the Las Vegas Sands corporation controlled by the Adelson family, who are the majority owners of the Dallas Mavericks.
Between 2004 and 2019, a total of 17 NBA teams participated in 28 preseason games held in China.
