Cover The Brooklyn Nets and Phoenix Suns face off at NBA China Games 2025 at the Venetian Macao (Photo: Zed Lee/Tatler Asia)
The Brooklyn Nets and Phoenix Suns face off at NBA China Games 2025 at the Venetian Macao (Photo: Zed Lee/Tatler Asia)
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For the first time since 2019, the NBA returned to Asia with a pre-season spectacle in Macau, featuring the Brooklyn Nets and Phoenix Suns, highlighting the league’s global expansion.
For a city known for its glitz and entertainment, Macau has not seen anything like this since the last time the NBA was in China, in 2007. The NBA China Games landed at the Venetian Macao with the Brooklyn Nets and Phoenix Suns, turning the city into a playground for basketball fans from across Asia.
From the moment you walked into the arena, the energy was electric. Nets and Suns jerseys were everywhere, fans from Hong Kong, Mainland China, the Philippines, and beyond. For many, this wasn’t just a sporting event; it was a rare chance to see one of the world’s most famous sporting leagues in the flesh.
Above Mirror star Keung To kicked off Fan Day, showing off his skills at the NBA China Games 2025 (Photo: Zed Lee/Tatler Asia)
Above Mirror's Edan Lui, Keung To and Stanley Yau took to the floor and later performed for the NBA fans (Photo: Zed Lee/Tatler Asia)
Mirror star Keung To kicked off Fan Day, showing off his skills at the NBA China Games 2025 (Photo: Zed Lee/Tatler Asia)
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The NBA House and Fan Day Take Over
The weekend extended far beyond the hardwood. The NBA House became the epicenter of fandom, a sprawling activation zone with digital courts, immersive games, and surprise appearances. The highlight? Mirror’s skill challenge and a Tatler content collaboration with French YouTuber Tuvok12, both of which drew huge crowds.
Devin Booker led a kids’ basketball clinic, Jeremy Lin returned to inspire young players alongside MC Jin, and every corner of the space buzzed with excitement.
Fan Day offered a dose of chaos and charm: celebrity challenges, dance performances, and unexpected trick shots. Two worlds collided as players from the Brooklyn Nets and the Phoenix Suns competed alongside local celebrities like Keung To and Edan Lui uniting the whole arena.
Above YouTube content creator Tuvok 12 hangs out with the Brooklyn Nets on Fan Day (Photo: Zed Lee/Tatler Asia)
Above NBA legends Vince Carter, Yao Ming and Shaquille O'Neal on the court floor at The Venetian Macao (Photo: Zed Lee/Tatler Asia)
YouTube content creator Tuvok 12 hangs out with the Brooklyn Nets on Fan Day (Photo: Zed Lee/Tatler Asia)
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A Courtside Cast Worthy of Hollywood
The celebrity turnout rivalled any red-carpet event. David Beckham, Jackie Chan, Shaquille O’Neal, Yao Ming, and the members of Mirror were spotted courtside throughout the weekend.
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Every timeout turned into a photo moment; every pause between plays felt like a celebrity cameo. Macau was alive in a way that only live sport can make possible.
Above Seen court side: Jackie Chan and David Beckham (Photo: Zed Lee/Tatler Asia)
Above A fan favourite around the world: NBA superstar Jeremy Lin (Photo: Zed Lee/Tatler Asia)
Seen court side: Jackie Chan and David Beckham (Photo: Zed Lee/Tatler Asia)
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Even the games themselves defied expectation. Pre-season basketball can sometimes feel laid-back, but both matchups delivered real drama. The first game went into overtime before the Suns edged out a win. In the finale, the Nets claimed victory as Phoenix missed a game-tying shot in the final seconds.
Players and coaches alike praised the energy inside the arena, the noise, the dedication, and the sheer passion of the Asian crowd. It felt like a game 7 inside of The Venetian.
Above Phoenix Suns guard (and reportedly Kendall Jenner's boyfriend) Devin Booker took action on court and off court with a basketball workshop during Fan Day (Photo: Zed Lee/Tatler Asia)
Above Asia represent: Rising NBA star Feng Bo of the Brooklyn Nets answers media questions (Photo: Zed Lee/Tatler Asia)
Phoenix Suns guard (and reportedly Kendall Jenner's boyfriend) Devin Booker took action on court and off court with a basketball workshop during Fan Day (Photo: Zed Lee/Tatler Asia)
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Macau Proves Its Place on the Global Sports Map
As I walked through the corridors lined with NBA branding, surrounded by fans in every direction, one thing became clear: Macau is ready for more global sport (and not just the NBA). This wasn’t just basketball, it was culture meeting entertainment, East meeting West, and community meeting spectacle.
For one weekend, the world’s eyes were on Macau. And it didn’t just live up to the hype, it set a new standard.
Above Alibaba chair and Brooklyn Nets owner Joe Tsai at the the NBA China Games 2025 (Photo: Zed Lee/Tatler Asia)
Above Tatler Asia reporter Pete Laverick with Patrick Dumont, president and COO of the Sands group and owner of NBA team Dallas Mavericks (Photo: Zed Lee/Tatler Asia)
Alibaba chair and Brooklyn Nets owner Joe Tsai at the the NBA China Games 2025 (Photo: Zed Lee/Tatler Asia)
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