After an 18-year hiatus, Sands China is bringing the NBA back to Macau. The first NBA preseason game will take place on 10 October at Venetian Arena at The Venetian Macao.
Presented by “Taobao 88VIP Presents – NBA China Games 2025”, the event will feature the Brooklyn Nets going head-to-head with the Phoenix Suns in two games this Friday and Sunday. Both teams arrived in Macau on Monday.
As part of the build-up, Sands China is currently hosting a series of activities, including community outreach programs and the debut of NBA House in Macau.
Open to the public free of charge, NBA House offers interactive basketball activities, an LED basketball fountain, photo booths, a food court and a shopping area – aimed at creating a dynamic and immersive experience for basketball enthusiasts.
Additionally, Sands China has invited 10 NBA legends to Macau to participate in a series of community outreach programs co-hosted by NBA Cares and Sands Cares. The players include Vince Carter, Kevin Garnett, Tim Hardaway, Jeremy Lin, Stephon Marbury, Shawn Marion, Yao Ming, Shaquille O’Neal, Mitch Richmond and Deron Williams.
On the first day of the event, Mitch Richmond – who won an NBA Championship with the LA Lakers in 2002 – visited Lou Hau High School, where he led a basketball clinic for students and physical education teachers. At the same time, NBA Cares and Sands Cares donated basketballs and training equipment to the school.
“Sports is a bridge that brings communities together and spreads positive energy,” said Dr Wilfred Wong, Executive Vice Chairman of Sands China Ltd.
“Sands China is honored to kick off the ‘NBA Cares x Sands Cares Community Impact Week’ with this event, inviting NBA Legend Mitch Richmond and a team of professional coaches to teach basketball skills to students at Lou Hau High School and rural teachers and students from the Chinese mainland. We are delighted to see the youths’ passion and potential for basketball. We will continue to promote community sports exchanges, providing a platform to inspire the dreams of young sports enthusiasts in Macau and injecting long-term momentum into the development of local sports.”
Macau last hosted an NBA preseason game in 2007, where the Cleveland Cavaliers faced off against the Orlando Magic. That game featured the Cavs’ superstar LeBron James, battling against the Magic’s powerhouse Dwight Howard, sparking widespread excitement across the city.
This Friday’s game will mark the NBA’s second visit to this city and its return to China after a five-year absence. This game will see the Suns’ star Devin Booker leading his team against the Nets, who are spearheaded by newly acquired forward Michael Porter.
The pre-season games are expected to provide a similar spark to Macau’s casino operators as recent high-profile concert series held at The Venetian, Galaxy Macau and Studio City.
The NBA season itself kicks off on 21 October.
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