NBA set for China comeback with preseason games, ending 5-year hiatus after Hong Kong controversy

The NBA is set to return to China after five years following the highly discussed Hong Kong controversy. As per a report by ESPN, The Brooklyn Nets and Phoenix Suns are scheduled to face off in two preseason games in Macao next October. The Brooklyn Nets are owned by Taiwanese-born billionaire Joe Tsai. They will play their preseason games at the Venetian Arena in Macao. The arena is operated by the Adelson family, who also own a majority stake in the Dallas Mavericks.The NBA returns to China after 5 yearsThe NBA’s return to China after five years is historic. The league and NBA China CEO Michael Ma has reportedly working on strengthening the relationship since 2020. The NBA China fell apart on October 4, 2019, following then-Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey’s shared social media images sparked a huge controversy in the nation.Morey posted an image that read, "Fight For Freedom. Stand With Hong Kong." At the time there were a series of protests in the special administrative regions against the Chinese government.Now, it appears that the issues have been resolved and the league has strengthened the relationship. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has been an advocate of staging the games in China again. "I think we will bring games back to China at some point," Silver said in October at the Columbia University Sports Management Conference in New York."China's government took us off the air for a period of time - we accepted that, we stood by our values... anybody in our league has the right to speak out on political matters," he added.What happened after Daryl Morey’s social media post?Following Daryl Morey’s post, the NBA has distanced the league from the tweet saying that it was "extremely disappointed" and called Morey’s post "inappropriate" and "severely hurt the feelings of Chinese fans.". Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta has also stressed that they had no involvement with the post. Later, Morey deleted the tweet and stated that it was his personal view.The storm had already begun to engulf the good bond the league had with the government. The broadcasters in the country refused to air the games on television and The Rockets were heavily condemned for the tweet of Morey. Reportedly, a major NBA media partner in China with a $1.5 billion streaming deal over the next five years, and the Chinese state television announced that they would not be broadcasting any Rockets games.What did Daryl Morey say after the controversy?Morey’s post sabotaged the league’s partnership in the country. Later, Morey who is now serving as the President of basketball operations of the Philadelphia 76ers, responded to his action on X (then Twitter)."I did not intend my tweet to cause any offense to Rockets fans and friends of mine in China," Morey posted on the platform from Japan responding to the huge controversy. "I was merely voicing one thought, based on one interpretation, of one complicated event. I have had a lot of opportunity since that tweet to hear and consider other perspectives,” he continued.Also Read: LeBron James Avoids $25K Fine After Austin Reaves Controversy: A Plea to Adam SilverHe went on to add, "I have always appreciated the significant support our Chinese fans and sponsors have provided and I would hope that those who are upset will know that offending or misunderstanding them was not my intention. My tweets are my own and in no way represent the Rockets or the NBA."Now, ending the five-year hiatus the league is set to return to the country for the NBA fans in China.