The NBA always makes a point to bring their best talents all over the world whenever possible. One way they do it, besides the mid-season contests in Mexico and London, is traveling to the other side of the world for preseason games. We’ve seen teams like the Houston Rockets, Sacramento Kings and New Orleans Pelicans travel to China in the past. In a few months, we will see a kind of interesting matchup take place. Granted, it is a preseason game, but the Chinese fans will get to see the established stars from the Golden State Warriors and rising stars from the Minnesota Timberwolves face each other in October.
The NBA made the announcement in a press release.
The National Basketball Association (NBA) announced today that NBA Global Games China 2017 presented by Master Kong would feature two preseason games in China between the Golden State Warriors and Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Warriors and Timberwolves will play Oct. 5 in Shenzhen at the Shenzhen Universiade Center, followed by a rematch in Shanghai at the Mercedes-Benz Arena on Oct. 8.
The games will mark the Warriors’ third trip to China following visits in 2008 and 2013, while the Timberwolves will be playing in China for the first time. Following NBA Global Games China 2017, 14 NBA teams will have played 24 games in Greater China since 2004, in Beijing, Guangzhou, Macao, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Taipei.
NBA Global Games China 2017 will feature a variety of fan activities, including the sixth annual Fan Appreciation Day presented by Dongfeng Nissan on Oct. 7 in Shanghai, which will provide thousands of fans with the opportunity to participate in oncourt games and watch the Warriors and Timberwolves practice. In addition to Fan Appreciation Day, the league and its partners will conduct NBA Cares community events in both cities.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver:
“We are committed to bringing live NBA games to our passionate and growing fanbase in China. Beyond the action on the court, these visits allow our teams and players to experience a different culture and bond with one another through community service, fan events and involvement in the local community.”
NBA China CEO David Shoemaker:
“The Warriors and Timberwolves will continue to showcase the authentic NBA experience in China this fall, and we are proud that following these games, nearly half of the league will have played in front of Chinese fans. The popularity of the NBA in China is at an all-time high, and the Warriors and Timberwolves will see that excitement firsthand in October.”
