The NBA is set to make its return to China through exhibition games in Macau in 2025, following a new partnership with Sands China. The Brooklyn Nets and Phoenix Suns will face off in two preseason games at the Venetian Arena on October 10 and 12, 2025.

The games will feature star players including Bradley Beal, Devin Booker, and Kevin Durant (pending any trades), marking the NBA's first games in China after a five-year absence. This hiatus began in 2019 following controversy over then-Houston Rockets GM Daryl Morey's social media post supporting Hong Kong protesters, which reportedly cost the NBA up to $400 million in annual revenue from Chinese markets.

This new partnership carries significant business implications. As part of the agreement, an NBA Flagship Store will open at The Londoner Macau, offering authentic NBA merchandise to fans. The venture connects two powerful entities: Sands China, a subsidiary of Las Vegas Sands, and the NBA, with interesting ties through Dallas Mavericks ownership (Dr. Miriam Adelson and Patrick Dumont of Las Vegas Sands).

NBA Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum emphasized Macau's emergence as a global sports hub, suggesting this partnership could mark the beginning of a larger presence in the region. While financial terms remain undisclosed, the partnership is expected to be profitable given the NBA's massive popularity among Chinese fans.

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