Kyrie Irving’s Expected Return at the 2026 NBA China Games

Kyrie Irving is expected to make his preseason return for Dallas against Houston on Sunday, October 11, in the NBA China Games finale at The Venetian Arena in Macao. Tipoff is at 4 a.m. Mountain Time. He is preparing for the comeback in the home market of ANTA, the Chinese sportswear company behind his signature shoes. Official update.

The NBA’s Saturday preview identified Sunday as Irving’s expected return date after Dallas played the first of its two games in Macao on Friday. Mavericks coach Dusty May had said Thursday that Irving would play once, with the team assessing how he felt after the trip.

Irving last played on March 3, 2025, when he tore the ACL in his left knee. He missed the entire 2025–26 season and has yet to play a game alongside reigning Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg.

Why the NBA is playing in Macao

The NBA China Games combine preseason basketball with several days of fan activities. NBA House and NBA Fan Day are part of a program that also includes youth basketball clinics and community work. The NBA says the trip is designed to engage fans in China and across Asia.

Houston also brings a longstanding connection to Chinese basketball fans. Rockets alternate governor Patrick Fertitta pointed to the team’s selection of Yao Ming first overall in 2002 when the 2026 games were announced.

The games resumed in China in 2025 after a six-year gap. The interruption followed the 2019 dispute over then-Rockets general manager Daryl Morey’s public support for protesters in Hong Kong.

Macao hosts the event through the NBA’s multiyear partnership with Sands China, announced in December 2024. Sands is the official promoter and operates The Venetian, where the games are being staged. The company says its sports partnerships help attract visitors and promote the city as a tourism destination.

The host also has a direct connection to Dallas: Mavericks governor Patrick Dumont represented Las Vegas Sands when the partnership was announced. The 2026 games have their own commercial partners, including presenting sponsor Taobao 88VIP. The NBA says the event will reach audiences in more than 200 countries and territories.

Irving’s connection with ANTA

Irving’s relationship with ANTA began in July 2023. The agreement named him chief creative officer of ANTA Basketball, with a role in developing his signature product line. ANTA also announced youth basketball camps in China and the United States as part of the partnership.

ANTA said it would manufacture and distribute Irving’s products worldwide. The agreement also calls for him to bring other athletes and creative collaborators into the line.

ANTA’s Macao Pack had a scheduled launch Saturday, October 10, between the two Mavericks–Rockets games. The first releases are the KAI 3 “Macao Hearts” and KAIBRID “Macau Spades,” according to the brand’s announcement reported by Dallas Sports Journal.

Irving described a relationship with Chinese fans that predates the deal. He told The Dallas Morning News that he first visited the country at 19 and now finds supporters waiting at the airport and hotel whenever he returns. “They just love sport here. They love basketball,” Irving said.

During a promotional trip in June, Irving stopped at the Shanghai home of an 18-year-old fan, the newspaper reported. He said he tries to stay engaged with fans as their support continues to grow.

Dallas opens the regular season October 21 at Houston.