NBA Rekindles Its Relationship with China
The NBA made its long-awaited return to China on Friday, as the Brooklyn Nets faced off against the Phoenix Suns in a sold-out preseason game in Macau. The event marked the league’s first appearance in China since 2019, when relations soured after a team official’s tweet supporting Hong Kong’s pro-democracy protests sparked outrage in Beijing.
The packed Venetian Arena was alive with excitement as thousands of fans celebrated the NBA’s comeback to one of its biggest international markets. “The atmosphere is amazing. I’ve been a Suns fan for years,” said 26-year-old David Jin, who traveled from Shenzhen and spent nearly 5,000 yuan ($700) on tickets and travel. “The NBA should visit mainland China more often. If it’s nearby, I’ll always show up.”
Fans Welcome Stars and Local Hero Zeng Fanbo
Crowds erupted in applause as four-time NBA All-Star Devin Booker took the court, while local excitement peaked for Zeng Fanbo, the 22-year-old Chinese forward making his debut with the Brooklyn Nets.
The game also drew international celebrities, including David Beckham, co-owner of Inter Miami CF and Salford City FC, who was spotted courtside enjoying the action.
A Step Toward Rebuilding Trust
The NBA’s return to China is seen as a key move to rebuild its relationship with a country where more than 125 million people play basketball. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said the league continues to see “tremendous interest in the NBA throughout China,” emphasizing the sport’s enduring popularity despite recent tensions.
Nets head coach Jordi Fernández said the trip was not just about basketball but also about cultural exchange. “We’re told we have a lot of support in China, but you don’t truly know until you come here,” he said. Similarly, Suns head coach Jordan Ott noted that for many players, this was their first visit to China, calling it “a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
Strengthening Basketball Ties
In a major development, the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) announced a strategic partnership with the NBA on Friday. The agreement will allow Chinese teams to participate in NBA Summer League and WNBA preseason games in the United States.
The move signals renewed cooperation between the two basketball giants after years of tension following the 2019 Hong Kong controversy.
From Conflict to Cultural Connection
The NBA’s relationship with China dates back to the Yao Ming era, when the Houston Rockets’ star fueled the league’s explosive growth in popularity during the 2000s. However, after a Rockets executive posted a tweet supporting Hong Kong protesters in 2019, the league’s broadcasts and sponsorships in China were suspended, cutting off a major source of revenue.
This week’s preseason game represents the NBA’s first major step toward reconciliation, offering what analysts call a “soft landing” by hosting games in Macau rather than mainland China.
Excitement Among Young Fans
For many young Chinese fans, the 2019 fallout is already fading from memory. Qin Junhong, a 19-year-old student in Macau, told AFP he was “just excited” to see an NBA game live for the first time. “There were so many people rushing for tickets,” he said, describing the overwhelming enthusiasm surrounding the match.
Before tip-off, crowds lined up for selfies at NBA-themed booths, shopped for merchandise, and admired displays from the league’s Chinese brand partners inside the Venetian Convention Hall.
A Glamorous Venue for a Symbolic Return
The Venetian Arena, part of the Las Vegas Sands complex on Macau’s Cotai Strip, hosted the high-profile event amid a backdrop of luxury resorts and replicas of Big Ben and the Eiffel Tower. The arena, with its glittering skyline, set the perfect stage for the NBA’s reentry into the Chinese market.
Experts say choosing Macau, where casino gambling is legal and political tensions are minimal, provided a safe and symbolic location for the NBA to re-engage with Chinese fans while avoiding potential controversies on the mainland.
Looking Ahead
Friday’s matchup, part of a multimillion-dollar partnership between the NBA and the Venetian Arena, is only the beginning of what could become a new era of basketball diplomacy. The second game in the series is expected to attract even larger crowds, further solidifying the NBA’s standing in Asia’s most basketball-obsessed nation.
As the crowd roared in celebration, one thing was clear: the NBA’s comeback to China isn’t just about sport—it’s about rebuilding trust, bridging cultures, and reigniting a shared love for basketball.