NBA to Return to China with 2025 Preseason Games in Macao

The Brooklyn Nets and Phoenix Suns will play two preseason games in Macao, marking the league's first games in China since 2019 after repairing strained relations.

The NBA announced a multiyear agreement with Sands China to host preseason games in Macao, starting with two matches between the Brooklyn Nets and Phoenix Suns on October 10 and 12, 2025.
This marks the league's return to China after a five-year hiatus following fallout from a 2019 tweet by then-Rockets GM Daryl Morey supporting Hong Kong protests, which led to financial losses and severed ties.
The games will take place at the Venetian Arena, a 14,000-seat venue in Macao, the only region in China where casino gambling is legal and a growing hub for international sports events.
The partnership includes youth development programs, fan engagement activities, and social initiatives aimed at strengthening the NBA's presence in the region.
China remains a critical market for the NBA, with an estimated 300-450 million basketball fans, and the league aims to rebuild its financial and cultural ties through this initiative.