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NBA Macao Preseason Games: NBA team owners and former stars are thrilled to see U.S. basketball make its comeback in China after six years. They say Macao, the glamorous casino destination, is more alive than ever.
The Brooklyn Nets and Phoenix Suns will face off in two preseason games this weekend, on Friday and Sunday. Both matchups will take place at The Venetian Hotel in Macao, a special administrative region of China.
It’s been a long wait for Chinese fans eager to see U.S. basketball again. In 2019, Beijing, once the NBA’s biggest international market, halted its ties with the league after a dispute over the Hong Kong protests.
Now, the relationship seems to be improving. On Thursday, Chinese tech giant Alibaba revealed a new multi-year deal with the NBA to offer AI and cloud services across China.
Alibaba Group chairman Joe Tsai, who also owns the Brooklyn Nets, told CNBC on Friday that he’s “beyond excited” to see his team return to China for games in Macao.
He said the NBA still enjoys massive popularity in China, with hundreds of millions of loyal fans. Even during the years without live games, broadcasts continued, and the league kept fans engaged through social media.
When asked about his team’s preparations, Tsai said there wasn’t much needed. “Our approach is naturally international,” he explained.
He emphasized that the Nets are a global team, eager to embrace any chance to play abroad. “Personally, it’s exciting to return and take part in this amazing event,” he added.
Mario Ho, co-owner of the Boston Celtics and son of casino magnate Stanley Ho, expressed his excitement as well.
“Being from Macao, I can feel the energy in the city like never before,” he told CNBC’s “The China Connection.”
“Fans have come from all over to see the players and legends. Everyone is counting down the days until the games start.”
“Now, as a co-owner of the Celtics, I’m looking at what this means for the team’s business opportunities,” Ho said. “It’s also a chance to spend time with the players and see their excitement firsthand.
They’re clearly thrilled, and the fans can’t wait to watch them play.” For former Houston Rockets star Yao Ming, the NBA coming back to China is a moment to reconnect with former teammates.
“I’m thrilled to see so many old friends again,” Yao said. “This happened thanks to support from many people, both in the U.S. and China. It really shows how passionate fans are about basketball.”
When asked what it would take for another Chinese player to reach the NBA, Yao chuckled. “That’s an interesting question. Let me ask it differently—how often do we actually listen to our parents’ advice? Rarely, I’d say.”
He said, “I think young players need to find their own way and build their own journey. My role is to support them, cheer them on, and step in when they need guidance. That’s where I feel I can make a difference.”
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