The NBA will go back to China for the very first time given that 2019 with 2 preseason games between the Brooklyn Nets and Phoenix Suns set for Macao in October.
A relationship with China that turned cold over a basic manager's tweet in 2019 appears to be thawing with a statement anticipated Friday.
On Thursday, sources told ESPN of the plans to head back to the Asian nation, which was then reported by Shams Charania and Brian Windhorst.
The Nets and the Suns will use October 10 and 12, 2025, at Macao's Venetian Arena, marking the very first video games given that 17 NBA groups played 28 preseason contests in China from 2004 to 2019.
Basketball is exceptionally popular in China, and the marketplace was worth numerous countless dollars to the NBA. However, a rift was created when then-Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey tweeted support of antigovernmental protests in Hong Kong in October 2019.
The Phoenix Suns and Brooklyn Nets are anticipated to play in 2 games in China next preseason
A pro-Hong Kong activist holds an image illustrating LeBron James as Chinese communist advanced Chairman Mao Zedong before the Los Angeles Lakers season opening game against the LA Clippers, outside Staples Center, on October 22, 2019
Daryl Morey tweeted support of antigovernmental demonstrations in Hong Kong in October 2019
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In action, rewarding sponsorships were ended and league games were disappointed on CCTV, the state-sponsored broadcaster in China, for one year after Morey's tweet. Silver approximated in 2021 the NBA lost $400 million that year because of the frayed relationship.
NBA players, consisting of stars Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors and De'Aaron Fox of the Sacramento Kings, have appeared in China. Macao will host a celeb basketball video game on Saturday featuring former NBA standouts.
The league will return to the Venetian Arena, formerly Cotai Arena, after two video games in 2007 when the Orlando Magic dealt with the Chinese guys's nationwide team and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
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