The NBA continues to prepare for its big return to China this fall, featuring two thrilling exhibition games on October 10 and 12. This will be the league’s first official trip to the country since its de facto ban in 2019. The pause began following a now infamous tweet from Daryl Morey, the General Manager of the Houston Rockets. He vocalized his support for anti-government protesters in Hong Kong, which drew fierce condemnation. The league’s commissioner, Adam Silver, received intense pressure from Chinese officials. He chose not to punish Morey, a move that set in motion the NBA’s current tensions with China.
Those return matches will happen over five years after the immediate effects of Morey’s tweet. The ban had a substantial impact on NBA viewership and merchandise sales in China, as the country’s government imposed restrictions on the league’s activities. Silver’s decision not to punish Morey fueled anger among Chinese government officials. To them, his decision was an unprecedented and direct challenge to their independence and national sovereignty.
As everyone knows, tensions are soaring between the United States and China, particularly on the trade war front. The NBA’s return to China comes at a key moment in this ongoing saga. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump’s threats of steep tariffs on Chinese imports have spurred Chinese leaders to threaten their own punitive levies. Both countries continue to search for alternatives to avoid a devastating trade clash. The stakes are especially high, as this conflict has the potential to profoundly shake the globe’s two largest economies.
NBA superstar and activist extraordinaire, LeBron James, recently spoke to the power of basketball as a cultural connector. He stated, “Basketball is not only a sport, but a bridge that connects us.” With geopolitical tensions rising and peace between nations seemingly evaporating, this sentiment highlights the unique role of sports as a catalyst for collaboration and understanding.
James said that he was appreciative of the welcoming reception that he was given while visiting China. He shared, “It’s super humbling for me to be able to come here, so far away from home, and get the reception and the love, I just wanted to pour it back to the community and to this country.” His comments illustrate the powerful role that athletes have come to play in diplomacy and cultural exchange.
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