Rockets and Mavs to play pre-season games in Macao / Photo: Stacy Revere - GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP/File
-
'Widow's Bay' and 'The Pitt' are favorites for Emmys night
-
DR Congo school fire stampede death toll rises to 26: UNICEF
-
'Everything different' as Zverev returns to US Open final
-
Coastal erosion forces cancellation of California music festival
-
Top seed Zverev holds off Khachanov to reach US Open final
-
Anthropic says UAE-linked AI op targeted UN experts over Sudan
-
James McAvoy brings new film 'Faith' to Toronto fest
-
Rennes beat Marseille to seize top spot in Ligue 1
-
Faultless Duplantis, hungry Ingebrigtsen shine at inaugural Ultimate
-
Duplantis delivers masterclass for Ultimate pole vault win
-
Roblox to launch wallet to pay creators faster and will allow off-platform gaming
-
Weapons, spyware and AI scams: Anthropic exposes Claude misuse
-
Springboks wary of new-look All Blacks in Baltimore test
-
Gary Oldman hopes Jack Lowden is the new James Bond
-
Townsend, Siniakova win US Open doubles for career Grand Slam together
-
Six-stop race is best on tyre-shredding Madrid track says Russell
-
Verstappen unimpressed with new Madrid street track
-
Prosecutors seek up to 10 years prison over violent burglary of Donnarumma
-
Razaullah heroics deny England quickfire win in 3rd Test against Pakistan
-
Solheim Cup on a knife-edge after Korda record
-
Masks banned at planned UK protests: police
-
Corruption probe targets Brazil presidential candidate Flavio Bolsonaro
-
Antonelli on top ahead of Ferraris in Madrid practice
-
New No.1 Rybakina out to thwart Sabalenka US Open three-peat bid
-
Dance Fitness Tempe Announces Expansion of Accessible Digital Movement Programs
-
US marks 25th anniversary of 9/11 attacks
-
Nashville airport to be renamed after Dolly Parton
-
'That's why we fight': Trump links 9/11 to Iran conflict
-
Argentina's Dirty War rears its head in Venice film
-
Europe saw record summer air traffic despite Mideast war: Eurocontrol
-
'Whatever we do is political' says Iranian director Asgari at Venice
-
De Zerbi coy over unsettled Richarlison's Spurs future
-
UK lawmakers throw out bill to legalise assisted dying
-
Brazil president candidate Flavio Bolsonaro targeted in corruption probe
-
Relatives of 9/11 victims hit out at Saudi Arabia -- and US leaders
-
England dismiss Pakistan's Masood to close on victory in 3rd Test
-
Egyptian teenager Abdelkarim to extend Barca deal to 2030
-
Oil prices, US inflation stoke Fed hike worries
-
Macau to hold closed-door trial in first national security case
-
Free-scoring Chelsea must tighten up, says Alonso
-
Philippines recovers 30 bodies from ferry after blaze
-
US inflation steady in August, fueling Fed rate hike expectations
-
Relative of 9/11 victim unleashes searing attack on Saudi Arabia
-
United boss Carrick dismisses Anderson's 'kings of Manchester' jibe
-
Russell edges Antonelli in accident-free opening practice in Madrid
-
New York marks 25th anniversary of 9/11 attacks
-
Sweden's outgoing PM wants to 'make Sweden great again'
-
Yemen's Houthis take over strait vital to global shipping
-
Fenced off: Thailand builds border wall after Cambodia clashes
-
Russia rolls out long-delayed 5G, but not for iPhones
Rockets and Mavs to play pre-season games in Macao
The Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets will play two pre-season NBA games in China next October at Macao, the league announced on Monday.
The games will be contested October 9 and 11 at the Venetian Arena and follow the NBA's return to China last October with two pre-season games between the Phoenix Suns and Brooklyn Nets.
"The games in Macao earlier this season showed how much passion and enthusiasm there is for the NBA among fans in China and across Asia," said NBA deputy commissioner and chief operating officer Mark Tatum.
"We look forward to welcoming the Mavericks and Rockets to Macao and to once again engaging fans, aspiring players and the local community through the games and surrounding events."
The Venetian is owned by the Sands Corporation, whose president is Patrick Dumont, owner of the Mavericks, while the Rockets are the former club of Chinese star Yao Ming.
The Rockets, featuring Kevin Durant and Alperen Sengun, are off to a 21-11 start this season and rank third in the Western Conference while the Mavs, 13-23, are sparked by rookie Cooper Flagg and veterans Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving and Klay Thompson.
The NBA and Sands China Limited will also host youth clinics, a fan area and social impact programs on health, wellness and sustainability.
The latest games show continued healing followed a rift between the NBA and China in 2019 after Daryl Morey, then the Rockets' general manager and now president of basketball operations for the Philadelphia 76ers, tweeted support for anti-government protestors in Hong Kong.
"I could not be prouder of having the Mavericks come to Macao," Dumont said.
"The success of the NBA China Games 2025 demonstrated the strength of the NBA in creating fan engagement and exciting experiences around the globe. The NBA China Games 2026 will be another great opportunity to showcase the league, its world-class athletes and the excitement it brings."
Patrick Fertitta, son of Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta, said the team was honored to bring a "Texas-sized" NBA matchup to China.
"Since drafting Hall of Famer Yao Ming first overall in 2002, we have received overwhelming love from the passionate basketball fans of China and built several cherished memories playing overseas," Fertitta said.
"We're excited to have another opportunity to represent the NBA abroad and showcase our team in front of the fans in Macao next preseason."
J.Oliveira--AMWN
