Not known for their overseas reach, the Portland Trail Blazers have been pencilled in to face Indiana Pacers in Macau next year
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China fans could get to see Yang Hansen in action in Macau next year, with his Portland Trail Blazers side tipped to play Indiana Pacers in the 2027 NBA China Games. Photo: Getty Images
Chinese basketball fans wanting to catch a glimpse of Yang Hansen in a Portland Trail Blazers uniform might get their wish next year, with the centre’s side reportedly one of the two teams tipped to play in the 2027 NBA China Games in Macau.
The Trail Blazers, who opened their pre-season with a 123-118 win over the Golden State Warriors on Thursday, have Chinese centre Yang, all-star point guard Damian Lillard, and former rookie of the year Ja Morant on their roster.
A well-placed source told the South China Morning Post that Portland, who lost in the first round of the play-offs to the San Antonio Spurs this summer, could face the Indiana Pacers and their star player, Tyrese Haliburton, at the Venetian Arena in 12 months’ time.
Since drafting Chinese international Yang with the No 16 pick last summer, and coupled with the return of the NBA China Games for the first time since 2019, the Trail Blazers have consistently been discussed as a team that could take part in the pre-season friendlies, while the Boston Celtics are another team that has been mentioned a lot.