The weekend marks a major milestone for the NBA, as years of rebuilding its relationship with China culminate with the Phoenix Suns and Brooklyn Nets facing off.

Two games in Macau this weekend will be the first since the league was effectively frozen out in 2019.

Build up to first game between Brooklyn Nets and Phoenix Suns slow and steady, business owners in city say.

“As a Macao local, I can tell you, the city is buzzing like nothing before,” Boston Celtics co-owner Mario Ho told CNBC.

Relations between the NBA and China had soured after a pro-democracy tweet was liked by a team official in 2019.

The weekend marks a major milestone for the NBA, as years of rebuilding its relationship with China culminate with the Phoenix Suns and Brooklyn Nets facing off.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver is looking to grow the NBA's footprint in China.