On October 20, 2007, the NBA made its debut in Macau with a preseason matchup between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Orlando Magic, marking a significant moment for the league in this global gaming hub. This weekend, the Dallas Mavericks and the Houston Rockets, two rivals from Texas, will compete in exhibition games, giving Macau basketball fans something to cheer about on Friday and Sunday.
The Mavericks, under the ownership of Miriam Adelson, who is associated with Las Vegas Sands, will face off against the Rockets, owned by Tilman Fertitta, who recently finalized a deal to acquire Caesars Entertainment valued at $17.6 billion.
Since the inception of NBA China games in 2004, only three have been held in Macau, with the most recent being just last season when the Phoenix Suns and Brooklyn Nets played there. The majority of these games have taken place in cities like Beijing and Shanghai. This year’s exhibition is anticipated to draw attention because of prominent players including Kevin Durant from the Rockets, and Cooper Flagg, who was the first overall pick by the Mavericks in 2025 and was named Rookie of the Year. Additionally, Kyrie Irving, a nine-time All-Star who has a partnership with the Chinese brand ANTA, is making his return to the NBA after recovering from an ACL injury sustained in March 2025.
The NBA is nearing a decision on expanding into Las Vegas, expected to be finalized by the end of the year. Speculation arose earlier this year when the Mavericks traded their all-star guard Luka Doncic, leading some to theorize about a potential move to Las Vegas by the Adelsons, though these were quickly denied. This weekend’s events are being coordinated by Patrick Dumont, CEO of Sands and Mavericks governor, at the Venetian Macau. According to NBA.com, this trip aims to promote the Venetian resort and its amenities, as well as strengthen the Mavericks' brand and attract a wider fanbase. The NBA highlighted the significance of the Macau connection as a strategic marketing tool for both the league and Sands, providing an international platform for their brands.
The Venetian Arena, which has been described as “NBA-ready,” originally hosted its first game just two months after opening 20 years ago. While it holds considerable historical value, it ranks as the smallest venue by seating capacity among current NBA facilities. Despite Sands being the world's largest casino operator, its stock value has plummeted by nearly 45% during 2026, amidst a downturn in Macau’s gaming revenue over the previous four months. However, stakeholders hope that the presence of the NBA and the National Day Golden Week holiday from October 1-7 will revive tourism impact.
The NBA’s close ties with Macau and Las Vegas are evident, underscored by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver’s support for legal sports betting. He publicly advocated for sports betting regulation in a 2014 New York Times op-ed, four years ahead of the Supreme Court's PASPA ruling in 2018. Silver emphasized that legislative changes on sports betting should be adopted at a federal level to allow states to regulate their own betting on professional sports.
Recognizing the dual nature of sports and gambling, Silver stated, "We recognize this is a form of entertainment, but at the same time, people can get over their head fairly quickly, and those kinds of controls also need to be in place." The NBA has faced its fair share of gambling scandals, including the lifetime ban of former Raptors player Jontay Porter in 2024 due to his involvement in betting schemes. Recently, a high-profile illegal betting case involving several former players has surfaced as the 2026-27 season approaches.
The Houston Rockets, in addition to the Mavericks, also carry historical significance in China, largely due to the legacy of Yao Ming, the 7'6" center who achieved Hall of Fame status after eight All-Star appearances with the team. Yao was the president of the Chinese Basketball Association from 2017 to 2024, having impacted the NBA’s popularity in China.
However, the Rockets' connection was strained in 2019 when former general manager Daryl Morey tweeted support for Hong Kong's anti-government protests, leading to a diplomatic fallout that resulted in substantial revenue losses for the NBA. It wasn’t until last year that the league returned to China with games played in Macau. Fertitta acquired the Rockets in 2017 for a record $2.2 billion; current estimates of the team’s value reach approximately $6.3 billion. Reports indicate that there are three finalist groups competing for the Las Vegas expansion franchise, with a new arena and the team valued between $12-$13 billion.
