Overview
- The league said Dallas and Houston will play preseason games at Macao’s Sands-owned Venetian Arena on Oct. 9 and Oct. 11.
- Sands president and chief operating officer Patrick Dumont, who also serves as a Mavericks governor, welcomed the team’s visit in statements released by the NBA.
- Houston was selected in part for its strong Chinese fan base built during Yao Ming’s Rockets career, according to alternate governor Patrick Fertitta.
- The announcement extends the NBA’s on-the-ground presence in China after broadcasts were curtailed for years following Daryl Morey’s 2019 tweet supporting Hong Kong protesters.
- Macao, the only place in China where casino gambling is legal, hosted this season’s Brooklyn–Phoenix preseason games at the same arena.