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The Rockets and Mavericks will face off on Friday and Sunday at The Venetian Arena in Macao.<\/p>\n
NBA preseason basketball returns to Macao for the second straight year with the 2026 NBA China Games. An exciting week of on-court action and off-court fan experiences culminates with the Houston Rockets and Dallas Mavericks playing a pair of preseason games in Macao on Oct. 9 and 11.<\/p>\n
What are the NBA China Games?<\/p>\n
This year\u2019s event marks the 16th NBA China Games, which began in 2004 and have featured 30 NBA preseason games to grow the game globally.<\/p>\n
The NBA China Games are one of five international showcases on the NBA calendar this upcoming season, alongside the NBA Canada Games 2026<\/a> (Oct. 3 & 10), NBA Mexico City Game<\/a> (Nov. 7), NBA Paris Game<\/a> (Jan. 14), and NBA Manchester Game<\/a> (Jan. 17).<\/p>\n When are the NBA China Games 2026?<\/p>\n The two preseason games between the Houston Rockets and Dallas Mavericks will take place on Friday, Oct. 9 (8 a.m. ET \/ 8 p.m. local Macao time<\/a>) and Sunday, Oct. 11 (6 a.m. ET \/ 6 p.m. local Macao time<\/a>).<\/p>\n Where will the NBA China Games 2026 be played?<\/p>\n For the second straight year, both games will be held at The Venetian Arena in Macao. The venue will also host NBA Fan Day on Saturday, Oct. 10.<\/p>\n How can I watch the NBA China Games 2026?<\/p>\n Both games will be available to watch live on NBA TV<\/a> and NBA League Pass<\/a>.<\/p>\n Is there any programming outside of the official preseason games?<\/p>\n In addition to the two games, the NBA and Sands will host interactive fan events including NBA House and NBA Fan Day, youth basketball clinics, and a Community Impact Week featuring social impact programming focused on health, wellness and sustainability.<\/p>\n NBA Fan Day (Oct. 10): Held at The Venetian Arena, NBA Fan Day features appearances and interactions with NBA players and performances by popular Asian artists, offering fans an up-close experience of the energy and excitement of the NBA.<\/p>\n NBA House (Oct. 7-11): Free and open to the public at Halls A and B of Cotai Expo at The Venetian Macao, NBA House brings together basketball, music and entertainment, fashion and retail, interactive technology and specialty dining offerings in a five-day festival for residents and visitors.<\/p>\n Community Impact Week (Oct. 7-11): Events held at venues across Macao to engage local schools and community groups throughout the week.<\/p>\n Where can I purchase tickets for the NBA China Games 2026?<\/p>\n You can buy tickets to this year\u2019s NBA China Games and NBA Fan Day here<\/a>.<\/p>\n What are three key storylines to know entering this matchup?<\/p>\n 1. Two point guards returning from knee injuries: It has been 19 months since Kyrie Irving last suited up for the Mavericks, following a torn left ACL suffered on March 3, 2025. It has been just over 12 months since Fred VanVleet was lost for all of last season with a torn right ACL suffered on Sept. 22, 2025. <\/p>\n Both point guards are expected to appear in one of the two China Games in Macao, according to coaches Dusty May (Dallas) and Ime Udoka (Houston). Irving and VanVleet each bring leadership, playmaking, clutch shot-making, and championship pedigree \u2014 having won titles with Cleveland in 2016 and Toronto (in 2019), respectively.<\/p>\n 2. Year 2 of Cooper Flagg and Year 1 of May: Fresh off leading the University of Michigan to the NCAA title, May takes on his first-ever NBA coaching job with Dallas. Easing that transition is Cooper Flagg, the reigning Kia Rookie of the Year, who made a seamless leap from Duke to the NBA last season at age 19. In Flagg and May, the Mavs hope to have their franchise player and head coach for years to come. We\u2019ll see their first action together in Macao.<\/p>\n 3. Kevin Durant and the Rockets\u2019 young core: Durant is set to begin his 19th NBA season and second with the Rockets. The league\u2019s fifth all-time leading scorer has shown no signs of slowing down, averaging over 25 points for the 17th season in 2025-26. <\/p>\n While the Rockets boast seasoned veterans like Durant, VanVleet, Steven Adams, Clint Capela (13th) and Marcus Smart (13th), the team\u2019s nucleus remains young. With rising stars such as Alperen Sengun (24), Amen Thompson (23), Jabari Smith Jr. (23) and Reed Sheppard (22) all under 25 years old, the Rockets have the foundation of a bright future with their continued development. <\/p>\n Can Durant and the other vets help make the present just as bright?<\/p>\n Which teams have played in the NBA China Games in previous years?<\/p>\n \u2022 2004: Rockets 88, Kings 86 (Oct. 14, Shanghai), Kings 91, Rockets 89 (Oct. 17, Beijing)<\/p>\n \u2022 2007: Magic 90, Cavaliers 86<\/a> (Oct. 17, Shanghai), Magic 100, Cavaliers 84<\/a> (Oct. 20, Macau)<\/p>\n \u2022 2008: Bucks 98, Warriors 94<\/a> (Oct. 15, Guangzhou), Warriors 109, Bucks 108<\/a> (Oct. 17, Beijing)<\/p>\n \u2022 2009: Pacers 126, Nuggets 104<\/a> (Oct. 8, Taipei), Nuggets 128, Pacers 112<\/a> (Oct. 11, Beijing)<\/p>\n \u2022 2010: Rockets 91, Nets 81<\/a> (Oct. 13, Beijing), Rockets 95, Nets 85<\/a> (Oct. 16, Guangzhou)<\/p>\n \u2022 2012: Heat 94, Clippers 80<\/a> (Oct. 11, Beijing), Clippers 99, Heat 89<\/a> (Oct. 14, Shanghai)<\/p>\n \u2022 2013: Warriors 100, Lakers 95<\/a> (Oct. 15, Beijing), Warriors 115, Lakers 89<\/a> (Oct. 18, Shanghai)<\/p>\n \u2022 2014: Nets 97, Kings 95<\/a> (Oct. 12, Shanghai), Nets 129, Kings 117 (OT)<\/a> (Oct. 15, Beijing)<\/p>\n \u2022 2015: Hornets 106, Clippers 94<\/a> (Oct. 11, Shenzhen), Hornets 113, Clippers 71<\/a> (Oct. 14, Shanghai)<\/p>\n \u2022 2016: Rockets 123, Pelicans 117<\/a> (Oct. 9, Shanghai), Rockets 116, Pelicans 104<\/a> (Oct. 12, Beijing)<\/p>\n \u2022 2017: Timberwolves 111, Warriors 95<\/a> (Oct. 5, Shenzhen), Warriors 142, Timberwolves 110<\/a> (Oct. 8, Shanghai)<\/p>\n \u2022 2018: 76ers 120, Mavericks 114<\/a> (Oct. 5, Shanghai), Mavericks 115, 76ers 112<\/a> (Oct. 8, Shenzhen)<\/p>\n \u2022 2019: Nets 114, Lakers 111<\/a> (Oct. 10, Shanghai), Nets 91, Lakers 77<\/a> (Oct. 12, Shenzhen)<\/p>\n \u2022 2025: Suns 132, Nets 127 (OT)<\/a> (Oct. 10, Macao), Nets 111, Suns 109<\/a> (Oct. 12, Macao)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The Rockets and Mavericks will face off on Friday and Sunday at The Venetian Arena in Macao. 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