Cover All eyes are on Zeng Fanbo as the Brooklyn Nets forward returns to Chinese soil, offering local fans a homecoming moment that bridges the NBA’s global reach with homegrown talent. (Photo: You Fang / VCG / Getty Images)
All eyes are on Zeng Fanbo as the Brooklyn Nets forward returns to Chinese soil, offering local fans a homecoming moment that bridges the NBA’s global reach with homegrown talent. (Photo: You Fang / VCG / Getty Images)
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The Brooklyn Nets face the Phoenix Suns in Macau, marking the NBA’s sleek comeback to the Chinese basketball scene
The Phoenix Suns and the Brooklyn Nets have brought the NBA’s spectacle to Macau, staging two preseason games at the Venetian Arena as part of the league’s slow return to Chinese territory. It’s the NBA’s first live outing in the region since 2019, when a political storm temporarily iced relations between the league and its biggest overseas market. This year’s event is being hosted in partnership with Sands China, the casino group behind the Venetian Macao complex, as part of a multi-year agreement that will see the NBA China Games make annual stops in the city.
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For fans, it’s a historic revival. The games on October 10 and 12 are technically exhibitions, but they carry symbolic weight. The Brooklyn Nets, owned by Alibaba co-founder Joe Tsai, have become the NBA’s bridge to China, while the Phoenix Suns bring the star power of Devin Booker and Bradley Beal. Together they form the league’s most carefully curated pairing, designed to attract both global viewers and local enthusiasm.
Sports, style and luxury fashion
Beyond the court, the arrival of the Brooklyn Nets in Macau signals how sport and lifestyle continue to intertwine. The Venetian Arena crowd isn’t just filled with basketball loyalists; it’s a cross-section of fashion executives, casino VIPs and regional influencers, all dressed for a spectacle that sits comfortably between a playoff and a red-carpet event. Streetwear, tailored suiting and luxury athleisure have become part of the visual language around the NBA, and nowhere is that clearer than in a city built on performance and showmanship. Here’s what some of each team’s basketball stars wore upon arrival.
Phoenix Suns
For the Phoenix Suns, the Macau series is a chance to showcase their star-studded line-up and fast-paced style to a new audience. Led by NBA All-Star Devin Booker, the Suns combine finesse and firepower with a franchise legacy rooted in bold, expressive play. Their vibrant palette and high-energy game make them a natural counterpoint to the Nets’s minimalist cool, setting up a compelling stylistic contrast both on and off the court.
Above Devin Booker carries a Bottega Veneta Intreciatto leather briefcase. (Photo: Suns / Instagram)
Devin Booker carries a Bottega Veneta Intreciatto leather briefcase. (Photo: Suns / Instagram)
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Above Dillon Brooks with what looks like a Bruno Cucinelli leather-trimmed canvas holdall. (Photo: Suns / Instagram)
Dillon Brooks with what looks like a Bruno Cucinelli leather-trimmed canvas holdall. (Photo: Suns / Instagram)
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Above Nick Richards reps a Huey Newton Barriers hoodie. (Photo: Suns / Instagram)
Nick Richards reps a Huey Newton Barriers hoodie. (Photo: Suns / Instagram)
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Above Nigel Hayes looks cosy in athleisure and a Louis Vuitton crossbody. (Photo: Suns / Instagram)
Nigel Hayes looks cosy in athleisure and a Louis Vuitton crossbody. (Photo: Suns / Instagram)
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Brooklyn Nets
The Brooklyn Nets arrive in Macau carrying both sporting ambition and cultural significance. The team represents the NBA’s strongest bridge to China, blending business acumen with on-court potential. Known for their clean black-and-white aesthetic and a roster built around versatile scorers like Michael Porter, Jr and Cam Thomas, the Nets bring a distinctly modern identity to the league’s international stage.
Above Cam Thomas carries a green Goyard bowling bag. (Photo: Brooklyn Nets / Instagram)
Cam Thomas carries a green Goyard bowling bag. (Photo: Brooklyn Nets / Instagram)
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Above Drake Powell wears a True Religion hoodie and carries a Louis Vuitton duffel. (Photo: Brooklyn Nets / Instagram)
Drake Powell wears a True Religion hoodie and carries a Louis Vuitton duffel. (Photo: Brooklyn Nets / Instagram)
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Above Zeng Fanbo wears a Balenciaga basketball series long-sleeved shirt. (Photo: Brooklyn Nets / Instagram)
Zeng Fanbo wears a Balenciaga basketball series long-sleeved shirt. (Photo: Brooklyn Nets / Instagram)
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Above Michael Porter Jr with a Bottega Veneta Loop Duffel Bag. (Photo: Brooklyn Nets / Instagram)
Michael Porter Jr with a Bottega Veneta Loop Duffel Bag. (Photo: Brooklyn Nets / Instagram)
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Chonx Tibajia is a senior editor at Tatler Asia’s T-Labs team, where she writes widely on lifestyle subjects including beauty, style, entertainment and travel. She has a long career in journalism, including roles as a columnist at The Philippine Star, and is the founder of the creative platform Pineappleversed. Beyond Tatler, her bylines appear in regional lifestyle and business publications, showcasing a broad portfolio that spans beauty trends, travel guides and culture pieces.
