Chinese State TV Refuses to Air NBA's Opening Night Slate

Tencent, the NBA's streaming partner, also reduced its schedule, only deciding to show the Lakers-Clippers game.

Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images

Chinese state television did not air the NBA's opening night games, ESPN's Brian Windhorst reported on Tuesday.

According to Windhorst, Tencent, the NBA's streaming partner, also reduced its schedule, only deciding to show the Lakers-Clippers game.

CCTV pulled NBA broadcasts following Rockets' general manager Daryl Morey's tweet supporting anti-government protests in Hong Kong.

The relationship between the NBA and China was disrupted after Morey's tweet, which included a photo of protestors in Hong Kong with the caption, "Fight For Freedom. Stand With Hong Kong." Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta denounced the tweet and said the Rockets were "not a political organization" and that Morey did not speak for the team.

The NBA agreed to a five-year extension to a streaming rights deal with Tencent reportedly worth $1.5 billion over the summer.