Summary
The NBA returned to China with a preseason basketball game between the Brooklyn Nets and the Phoenix Suns in Macau, after being absent for six years due to political tensions. The event marked the NBA's attempt to rebuild ties with the Chinese market, which included a new strategic partnership with the Chinese Basketball Association.
Key Facts
- The Brooklyn Nets and the Phoenix Suns played a preseason game in Macau, marking the NBA's first return to China in six years.
- The NBA had stopped playing games in China after a team official's pro-democracy tweet in 2019.
- Around 125 million people in China are estimated to play basketball, making it a significant market for the NBA.
- NBA Commissioner Adam Silver noted strong interest in the NBA from Chinese audiences.
- The Chinese Basketball Association announced a partnership with the NBA, allowing Chinese teams to participate in NBA Summer League and WNBA preseason games in the U.S.
- Macau, where the game was held, is a special administrative region of China and the only place in the country where casino gambling is legal.
- The game in Macau is part of a larger deal to host NBA preseason matches at the Venetian Arena.
