After five years, the NBA is set to return to China with two preseason games scheduled for October 2025. The matches will feature the Brooklyn Nets and Phoenix Suns in Macao, marking the first NBA games in the region since 2019.
The Details
The games will take place at the Venetian Arena in Macao on:
- October 10, 2025 (Friday)
- October 12, 2025 (Sunday)
These two teams will bring NBA action back to a region that has long been an important part of the league’s international strategy.
Why the NBA Left in 2019
The NBA pulled out of China in 2019 after a controversial tweet from Daryl Morey, the then-Houston Rockets general manager. The tweet supported protests in Hong Kong, and as a result, the Chinese government pulled NBA games off the air in China. This led to massive financial losses for the NBA, with the league losing hundreds of millions of dollars as a result.
Although games returned to Chinese broadcasts in 2022, this new announcement shows that the NBA is committed to repairing its relationship with the region.
Adam Silver Speaks on the Return
NBA commissioner Adam Silver had hinted at the return of games to China earlier this year. In October, he said:
“We had a well-known incident there pre-pandemic with a tweet, and China’s government took us off the air for a period of time. We accepted that. We stood by our values.”
Silver sees this return as a way to strengthen relationships with the Chinese audience while growing the sport’s international reach.
The Nets’ Connection
The Brooklyn Nets, one of the two teams playing these preseason games, have special ties to China. The team is owned by Joe Tsai, who is not just a well-known NBA owner but also the chairman of Alibaba, one of China’s most powerful e-commerce companies. The Nets were part of the 2019 games as well and will lead this return to Macao.
The games will take place at the Venetian Arena, owned by the Las Vegas Sands Corporation. This adds a strong business connection to the event and highlights the growing international appeal of the NBA.
What’s Next for the NBA and Fans
This return is a big move for the league as they try to repair their standing and rebuild their presence in China. China has historically been a vital market for the NBA, and this return will likely spark excitement among fans and new opportunities for partnerships.
While this move signals the return of sports to the region, it also represents hope for improved relations and trust-building between the NBA and Chinese fans.
Fans Await
Basketball is immensely popular in China, and fans are eager to welcome back NBA games to the region. With a mix of sports, business opportunities, and cultural collaboration, these games could mark a turning point for the NBA’s return to one of its largest international markets.
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