The Mavericks and Rockets will face each other in China
The NBA heads back to China — Dallas and Houston will square off in Macau in two preseason games, with Yao Ming's legacy making the Rockets a natural fit.
The Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets will play two preseason games in China in preparation for the upcoming National Basketball Association (NBA) season, ESPN reported.
The two clubs will face each other on October 9 and 11 in Macau at the Venetian Arena. The facility is owned by the gambling company Sands Corp., whose president and CEO is the owner of Dallas.
“I couldn’t be prouder that the Mavericks will be coming to Macau and enjoying the incredible hospitality that Sands facilities offer,” Dumont said in a statement released by the NBA.
The Houston Rockets are another logical choice for a team to play in China because of legendary basketball player Yao Ming, who played for the Rockets between 2002 and 2011. The Chinese player is a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame, an eight-time NBA All-Star, and is considered the best player in the country’s history.
During Ming’s time in Houston, basketball’s popularity in China saw a significant increase, and between 2004 and 2025, the country hosted 28 games featuring NBA teams. Most recently, the Phoenix Suns and Brooklyn Nets played in Macau last year.
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