The National Basketball Association (NBA) has announced that it will begin playing games in 2025, more than five years after former Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey urged it to disassociate itself from images supporting Hong Kong protesters. He will return to China for two season games.
The Brooklyn Nets and Phoenix Suns, owned by Taiwanese-born billionaire and Alibaba chairman Joe Tsai, will play in Macau on October 10 and 12, 2025, with two more games in 2026. Scheduled. NBA announced on Friday.
“Hosting preseason games in Macau will bring the excitement of the NBA to fans in one of the world's emerging sports hubs,” said NBA Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer Mark Tatum. said Mark Tatum, NBA Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer. announcement.
“The Nets and Suns feature an exciting mix of established and emerging stars, and through these games and a variety of interactive events, youth development programs, and social impact initiatives, we are committed to supporting Macau's We look forward to engaging our fans, aspiring players and the local community.”
Morey, who is currently the director of basketball operations for the Philadelphia 76ers, said, “Fight for freedom.'' In October 2019, “Stand with Hong Kong.''
The message sparked outrage in China and was met with mixed reactions within the NBA as both the league and its star players seek to maintain loyal fans in the growing Chinese market.
League commissioner Adam Silver supported Morey's right to free expression, while Lakers superstar LeBron James said Morey was “not educated on the situation at hand.” Ta.
The Nets and Suns will resume play at Macau's Venetian Arena, which is owned by Las Vegas Sands Corp., the company of Dallas Mavericks owner Patrick Dumont.[DallasMavericks'ownerPatrickDumont'scompanyLasVegasSandsCorpSands[DallasMavericks’ownerPatrickDumont’scompanyLasVegasSandsCorpSands
A celebrity game featuring NBA Hall of Famers such as Ray Allen, Tony Parker and DeMarcus Cousins will be held before preseason games.
