Nets, Suns set to hold court in Macao

Mark Tatum, deputy commissioner and COO of the NBA, and Patrick Dumont, president and COO of the Las Vegas Sands Corporation, pose with other executives during a news conference to announce the return of the NBA China Games in 2025, at the Londoner Hotel in Macao on Friday. The NBA, and its new partner Sands China Ltd, announced on Friday that the Brooklyn Nets and the Phoenix Suns will play two preseason games on Oct 10 and 12 next year at Macao's Venetian Arena. "Bringing preseason games to Macao will showcase the excitement of the NBA to fans in one of the world's emerging hubs for sports," Mark Tatum, NBA's deputy commissioner and chief operating officer, said during a ceremony announcing the partnership in Macao on Friday. The Nets, owned by Joe Tsai, chairman of Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba, currently features a strong roster of NBA stars, including 2023 FIBA World Cup gold medalist Dennis Schroder of Germany, and USA basketball player Cam Johnson, while the Suns boast an even more glittering cast, led by four-time Olympic gold medalist and two-time NBA champion Kevin Durant and four-time NBA All-Star Devin Booker. Echoing Marks, Phoenix CEO Josh Bartelstein, said: "Participating in The NBA China Games 2025 is part of our owner Mat Ishbia's vision to bring the Suns to a global audience and impact fans around the world."