The United States’ National Basketball Association (NBA) held its NBA China Games 2025 at The Venetian Arena in Cotai on Friday and yesterday, alongside a fan interactive event on Saturday at the featured “NBA House” at Cotai Expo.
Phoenix Suns, Brooklyn Nets face off in Cotai
The NBA China Games 2025 wrapped up last night at The Venetian Arena, as the Brooklyn Nets edged out the Phoenix Suns 111–109 to split their two-game preseason series. The Suns had previously claimed victory on Friday with a 132–127 win.
Both games drew a capacity crowd, with fans cheering loudly through back-and-forth performances from both teams. Among the guests attending the events were former football player David Beckham, Hong Kong stars Fang Shilong, known professionally as Jackie Chan, Karen Mok Man-wai, and Simon Yam Tat-wah.
During the post-match press conference, Nets’ head coach Jordi Fernández praised his team’s composure under pressure, saying, “They punched, we responded, they punched, we responded – and I think that’s how the NBA works. The resilience, I’m very happy with.”
He added that the games were “an amazing experience” for the team, noting the enthusiasm of the local fans and the cultural exchange that came with playing abroad.
Meanwhile, Suns’ head coach Jordan Ott reflected on the benefits of the international series for team building, calling it “incredibly important for our own development – not only for the young players, but for me and my staff.” He emphasised that the trip helped new roster members bond and refine their playing style ahead of the regular season.
For the Nets, player Cam Thomas described the win as a valuable step forward. “It was a good start for us,” he told the Post. “We’re just applying everything we learned in preseason training camp. We still got some work to do, but we’re in a good spot,’ he added.
Cultural slam dunk fills the week
The first-ever NBA House Macao at Cotai Expo hosted interactive basketball games, photo zones, LED courts, and meet-and-greets featuring guest stars including NBA legends Shaquille O’Neal, Tim Hardaway Sr., Shawn Marion, and Yao Ming.
For many, it was a rare chance to see their idols up close. “We’ve got to meet so many people, especially when we just had the possibility of meeting legends such as Vince Carter and Shaq,” Rodrigues, one of the fans attending the event for the first time, told the Post, adding that he hoped “these kinds of events would happen more.”
The event also inspired local and regional basketball advocates. Nic Sandler, representing former Lakers staff coach Jamal Boykin and the local “Falcons Macau” training camp, said their presence in Macau was about “giving back.”
For Sandler, who first fell in love with the NBA through Michael Jordan, his occasional visits to Macau in order to help coach young athletes carried meaning. “We just want to ‘give back’ to the community,” Sandler told the Post. “We’re working with the Terance Mann Foundation and the local Falcon training camp. It’s an amazing experience – we want to help develop the next generation,” he said.
Throughout the week, the basketball celebration spilled into shopping malls and entertainment venues across the city, with the opening of the first NBA Flagship Store at integrated resort The Londoner Macao in Cotai, drawing fans to explore exclusive Macau-themed NBA merchandise.
The Brooklyn Nets score during yesterday’s NBA China Games at The Venetian Arena. – Photos: Rui Pastorin
Excitement builds among spectators – including celebrity guests.
Photos of yesterday’s NBA China Games 2025 held at The Venetian Arena in Cotai taken yesterday by Rui Pastorin
