During a meeting with NBA commissioner Adam Silver, several players from the Nets and Lakers voiced frustration about being in the middle of the dispute between the league and China, sources told ESPN.
Rockets reserve Gerald Green has a broken foot and will miss extended time, sources told ESPN.
The NBA issued a statement saying it has apologized to a reporter who was stopped from asking James Harden and Russell Westbrook about the recent China controversy.
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich lauded NBA commissioner Adam Silver on Tuesday for his stance supporting freedom of speech amid the ongoing rift with China over a tweet posted last week by Rockets GM Daryl Morey.
Bomani recaps how the NBA's business relationship with China has become strained due to a tweet from Rockets GM Daryl Morey (0:42) and how Snoop Dog upset school officials with his "Midnight Madness" performance at Kansas University (19:22). Plus, Bo tips his cap to friend of the show Michael Smith on his new chapter (30:10) and Spencer Hall joins for part one of our series "Sideline" in conjunction with SB Nation's "Banner Society" about boosters in college football, including who boosters are as well as how they exercise their power (37:12).
Russell Westbrook made his Rockets preseason debut, scoring 13 points in a 134-129 loss to the Raptors in an exhibition played in Tokyo.
Adam Silver said he is still going to China for preseason NBA games, but Chinese TV said it will not broadcast the games.
Adam Silver said the NBA supports Daryl Morey's freedom of speech, but acknowledged that the Rockets GM's tweet has led to some "fairly dramatic consequences."
Rockets star James Harden apologized three days after general manager Daryl Morey tweeted in support of Hong Kong protesters, the fallout for which continued to grow at a crucial time for the NBA in China.
China's official basketball association said it will suspend cooperation with the Houston Rockets following a tweet by the team's general manager in support of pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong.
Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta said he felt compelled to respond to Houston general manager Daryl Morey's tweet in support of the protesters in Hong Kong, stressing that the team does not take political positions.
Our annual NBA tiers separate the potential title teams from the wannabes.
Mike D'Antoni of the Houston Rockets was the first coach to use a new rule instituted by the NBA this offseason that allows coaches to challenge a call.
| TEAM | W | L | PCT | GB | STRK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Orleans | 4 | 0 | 1.000 | - | W4 |
| Houston | 3 | 1 | .750 | 1 | W1 |
| Memphis | 2 | 1 | .667 | 1.5 | L1 |
| Dallas | 1 | 3 | .250 | 3 | W1 |
| San Antonio | 0 | 3 | .000 | 3.5 | L3 |
| RD(PK) | PLAYER | POS | SCHOOL |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2(16) | De'Anthony Melton | PG | USC |
| YEAR | W | L | PCT |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-19 | 53 | 29 | .646 |
| 2017-18 | 65 | 17 | .793 |
| 2016-17 | 55 | 27 | .671 |
| 2015-16 | 41 | 41 | .500 |
