This year’s NBA China Games concluded on Sunday night, but close-season developments on and off the court have added to the intrigue over which teams could make a visit in the coming seasons.
Advertisement
A combined attendance of 22,634 from two matches organisers described as sold out saw the return of NBA action to China for the first time in six years.
“I think we both missed each other. China has missed the NBA,” five-time All-Star Tim Hardaway said. “I’m very happy we’re back, because the relationship [with China] is very important to the NBA.”
With eight more matches still to be staged in the casino city over the next four years, the team line-up beyond 2026 remains a hot topic.
Patrick Dumont (centre) with Chinese icon Yao Ming at the Venetian Arena on Sunday. Photo: Karma Lo
Patrick Dumont (centre) with Chinese icon Yao Ming at the Venetian Arena on Sunday. Photo: Karma Lo
Mavericks owner Patrick Dumont, who is president and chief operating officer of Las Vegas Sands – which runs The Venetian in Macau – had shown interest in bringing the NBA to this part of the world even before he acquired the Western Conference team in 2023, said NBA commissioner Adam Silver.