The NBA is set to make a return to China next season after more than five years, as the league prepares to hold preseason games there. This development comes after a significant rift initiated by a tweet from former Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey in support of Hong Kong protesters. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver faced backlash for not disciplining Morey, which led to the league being effectively banned from China.
An announcement regarding this new agreement will be made soon. According to inside sources, the Brooklyn Nets and the Phoenix Suns are scheduled to play in Macao on October 10, 2025, with another game two days later. Additionally, there are plans for two more preseason games in China in 2026.
The games will take place at the Venetian Arena in Macao, which is owned by Las Vegas Sands Corp. Notably, this marks a continued effort to restore relations between the NBA and China. In recent years, several NBA stars, including Jimmy Butler and Stephen Curry, have made appearances in China, drawing enthusiastic crowds.
The strained relationship began in October 2019 when Morey’s tweet ignited controversy regarding political freedoms in Hong Kong. Despite the fallout, Silver maintained the league’s commitment to uphold its values, signaling a willingness to stand by free speech even at the risk of losing a lucrative market.
China’s reaction to the tweet was swift, leading to a suspension of NBA broadcasts on Chinese state television for about a year. Economic losses were substantial, estimated at around $400 million during that period. However, bridges have been built since then, with gestures of goodwill from both sides, including donations made by the NBA during the pandemic.
Macao, a region known for its legal gambling and rich cultural history, has a unique status in China. It was handed back to Chinese control from Portugal in 1999, and it is now seeing efforts toward economic diversification. The return of NBA games is seen as a step forward in re-establishing ties and enhancing tourism.
As the NBA navigates this complex relationship, fans in Macao and beyond eagerly anticipate what promises to be an exciting return to the court.
