Nets and Suns Revive NBA's China Connection

The NBA is making a comeback in China, with the Brooklyn Nets leading the charge. The team, owned by Joe Tsai, who hails from Taiwan and is the chairman of Alibaba, will face the Phoenix Suns in Macao next October. This marks the NBA's first games in China since 2019. The league's relationship with China had cooled after a social media post by a Houston Rockets executive supporting Hong Kong protests sparked controversy. The Nets had planned to play in China just before the incident occurred. Now, with the Nets and Suns set to play in Macao, it seems the NBA is mending its ties with one of its largest fan bases. The Nets have a history of playing international games, having played outside the U. S. and Canada more than any other team. The Suns, owned by Mat Ishbia, have a close relationship with Tsai, which helped facilitate the Kevin Durant trade. Both teams are eager to bring basketball back to Chinese fans. China was once the NBA's most important international market, but the 2019 incident led to significant financial losses. Commissioner Adam Silver estimated that the league lost $400 million in 2021 alone due to the strained relationship. However, Tsai believes that the NBA is in a good place with China and that the past issues are behind them. The return of NBA games to China is a significant step for the league. It shows that despite past challenges, the NBA and China are working towards a renewed partnership. The games in Macao will be a testament to this effort.