For the first time since 2019, preseason NBA basketball returned to China with the 2025 NBA China Games series (presented by 88VIP).<\/p>\n
\u201cAn exciting week of on-court action and off-court fan experiences culminated with the Phoenix Suns<\/a> and Brooklyn Nets<\/a> playing a pair of preseason games in Macao on Oct. 10 and 12,\u201d the league writes on its website<\/a>.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n And in 2026, it appears the Houston Rockets<\/a> will be part of the experience. Per Mike Chan of the South China Morning Post<\/a>:<\/p>\n Dallas Mavericks<\/a> owner Patrick Dumont, who is also the president and chief operating officer of Las Vegas Sands, which runs The Venetian, told the Post a heavyweight Texas derby would happen in Macau in 2026.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, the [Dallas] Mavericks and the [Houston] Rockets, here in Macau next year. Are you ready?\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Considering Dumont owns one of those two teams, it would seem to be a fairly impeccable source.<\/p>\n It\u2019s worth noting that one reason for the NBA\u2019s China hiatus in recent years was the controversy sparked by October 2019 social media posts<\/a> from then-Rockets general manager Daryl Morey. Months later, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic greatly complicated the logistics.<\/p>\n But relations between the NBA and China have improved in recent years<\/a>, and Morey is now with the Philadelphia 76ers<\/a>. The Rockets also have a vocal Chinese advocate<\/a> in former All-Star center Yao Ming, who played at an elite level with the Rockets from 2002 until late 2010.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n So, as of now, it appears the Rockets\u2019 brand in China has largely been restored \u2014 and it will be showcased there in the fall of 2026. Exact dates and times have yet to be announced.<\/p>\n More: Today in 2019: Daryl Morey’s Hong Kong tweet ignites firestorm<\/a><\/p>\n