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The NBA is returning to China’s special administrative region this October, with the Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets scheduled to face off in two preseason games in Macao’s Venetian Arena on October 9 and 11, part of the league’s ongoing China Games. The week will include fan events, clinics, and community programming around the matchups.
Mavericks’ Young Core, BigMan Moves and Current Form
Dallas is turning heads with a roster heavy on new faces and fresh talent. The team traded longtime star Luka Dončić midway through the last season in a blockbuster deal that brought in Anthony Davis and Max Christie. Davis made a splash in his Mav debut with a big scoring effort before an injury cut his night short.
Aside from Davis and Christie, Dallas is also developing young forwards like Cooper Flagg, a recent high draft pick expected to be a cornerstone for years. The mix of veteran scoring, interior strength and youthful potential gives Dallas an exciting look heading into the preseason in Macao.
On the court this season, the Mavericks have had ups and downs, struggling to string wins together while integrating new pieces and battling early season injuries. Recent games show flashes of firepower — including a win over Houston in December led by a balanced scoring attack — but the team is still finding consistent identity.
Rockets Riding Momentum and Star Power
Houston arrives in Asia as one of the stronger clubs in the Western Conference. The Rockets are currently winning games and sit well in the standings compared with Dallas, with a roster that blends rising youngsters and seasoned scorers.
At the heart of Houston’s push are Alperen Şengün and Amen Thompson. Şengün, one of the league’s most versatile big men, has posted tripledouble performances and starred all season, earning a rich contract extension and becoming a central piece in Houston’s offense. Thompson has flashed scoring and playmaking punch, filling the stat sheet and providing fuel for Houston’s strong stretches. Recent wins — including a dominant 12096 victory over the Nets — underscore the Rockets’ balance and scoring depth.
Veteran scorer Kevin Durant also remains a focal point when healthy, giving Houston a goto option in crunch time and a household name for international fans.
More Than a Game: Connecting With Fans
Beyond basketball, NBA China Games organizers and cosponsor Sands China Ltd. plan activities aimed at connecting with local and regional supporters. Events like NBA House, youth clinics and community outreach will run alongside the October games, bringing NBA culture and engagement to Macao for the second straight year after successful exhibitions in 2025.
For Mavericks supporters, this trip represents a chance to see Dallas’ evolving core in a global spotlight. Rockets fans get a reunion of sorts: Houston has one of the NBA’s most loyal followings in China, rooted in the Yao Ming era and reinforced by recent competitive play.
These China Games give both sides a preview of their 202627 campaigns — and Asian fans a live look at some of the league’s most intriguing storylines.
