Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets to play NBA preseason games in Macao as league returns to China

The National Basketball Association announced on Monday that the Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets will play the NBA preseason games at the Venetian Arena in Macao, China. As per the announcement made by the league, the games will take place on October 9 and October 11.

Dallas was a natural choice for the trip, as the arena is owned by Sands Corp, whose president and chief operating officer, Patrick Dumont, also serves as the Mavericks’ governor. “I could not be prouder of having the Mavericks come to Macao and have the team experience the incredible hospitality that Sands properties provide,” Dumont said.

Houston was another obvious selection. The Rockets continue to have a strong following in China because of their franchise legend Yao Ming, who played for the Houston Rockets throughout his NBA career and remains the most influential Chinese player in league history. He is a Basketball Hall of Fame and also an eight-time NBA All-Star. Yao Ming was drafted by the Houston Rockets in 2002, and since then, the basketball fans from China have been supporting the team and showing love.

The announcement further signals the NBA’s full return to China after years of strained relations. The league’s presence in the country was disrupted following a 2019 social media post by former Rockets executive Daryl Morey that led to games being pulled from Chinese television.

Since then, relations have gradually improved, allowing the league to return. Several NBA stars, like LeBron James and Stephen Curry, have visited China on promotional tours in recent years, drawing large crowds.

With the NBA once again hosting games in Macao, the league will look forward to rebuilding its presence in China.