2018 NBA China Games Schedule of Dates, Matchups Announced
A year ago, we welcomed China Klay into our hearts. This year, the NBA will be giving the gift of China Embiid to the masses.
The NBA announced Tuesday that the Philadelphia 76ers and Dallas Mavericks will participate in the 2018 China Games during the preseason later this year. The teams are slated to play Friday, Oct. 5, in Shanghai at the Mercedes-Benz Arena, with a rematch following Monday, Oct. 8, in Shenzhen at the Shenzhen Universiade Center.
"These games will not only bring the excitement of NBA action directly to our passionate Chinese fans, but also provide our teams and players an opportunity to experience the rich culture and history of the country," NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement provided to Bleacher Report. "The Mavericks and 76ers, both playing in China for the first time, will be able to encounter firsthand the incredible support of our Chinese fans and bond with one another through projects and events in the local community."
The games will be the 25th and 26th NBA contests played in China. Yao Ming's rise to superstardom with the Houston Rockets led to the launch of the China Games in 2004, and 17 different teams have now made the trip.
"When I played in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, I witnessed China's enthusiasm for basketball firsthand," Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki said. "It will be a fantastic experience for our franchise to play in China for the first time. We're also excited about the possibility of reconnecting with two great Chinese players who played for the Mavericks, Wang Zhizhi and Yi Jianlian."
Nowitzki, who turns 40 in June, recently announced he would return for his 21st NBA season in 2018-19. He will surpass Kobe Bryant for the most consecutive years played for one franchise in league history.
The Mavericks also boast a promising young point guard in Dennis Smith Jr., who will likely be named to an All-Rookie team later this spring. In addition, Dallas has the third-best odds of winning the 2018 NBA draft lottery. Barring a trade, the Mavs will be adding a highly touted rookie to the China Games marquee.
The Sixers are on the opposite end of the rebuilding spectrum, in the midst of their first playoff appearance since beginning the "Process" in 2013-14. Their two best players, Joel Embiid (Cameroon) and Ben Simmons (Australia), were born outside of the United States, as was Dario Saric (Croatia). The Sixers also could have a lottery pick by way of the Los Angeles Lakers and are expected to be major players in free agency this summer.
"It will be an honor to be the first 76ers team to play in front of the amazing fanbase in China in October," Embiid said.
"Getting a chance to play all over the world has always been a dream of mine, and I'm excited to play in China in October," Simmons said. "I know the fans there are passionate about basketball, and I'm really looking forward to the trip to Shanghai and Shenzhen."
The teams will also participate in a variety of activities with Chinese fans, including NBA Fan Day and NBA Cares events.
In 2017, the world was introduced to China Klay, the alter-ego of the Golden State Warriors guard that seemed to be a never-ending source of unintentional comedy. While Thompson's trip was part of a shoe tour and not related to the NBA China games, we can only hope Embiid, who's perhaps the NBA's funniest player, proves to be a worthy successor when he makes the venture in October.
If nothing else, setting up Instagram alerts would be in all of our best interests.
