NBA China Games 2026: Mavericks–Rockets times and broadcast

The Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets will play two preseason games at the 2026 NBA China Games in Macao. On Friday, October 9, the game starts at 8 p.m. in Macao, 8 a.m. ET and 7 a.m. CT. The second meeting is Sunday, October 11, at 6 p.m. in Macao, 6 a.m. ET and 5 a.m. CT. The NBA’s official guide lists NBA TV and NBA League Pass for both games, although viewers should verify availability through the official service in their territory.

Dates and times for both games

The published schedule uses Macao, in the UTC+8 time zone, as its local reference. The following conversions are based on those confirmed start times:

• Friday, October 9: 8 p.m. in Macao; 9 a.m. in Brasília; 2 p.m. in mainland France and Spain; 8 a.m. ET and 7 a.m. CT.
• Sunday, October 11: 6 p.m. in Macao; 7 a.m. in Brasília; noon in mainland France and Spain; 6 a.m. ET and 5 a.m. CT.

The Mavericks’ China trip page confirms both dates, the Macao and U.S. Central times, and the neutral-site designation.

How to watch officially

The NBA says both games will be shown live on NBA TV and NBA League Pass. Because channels, packages and restrictions can vary by country, viewers should open the official platform before tipoff and check the offering displayed for their location.

In Brazil, the NBA’s regional schedule includes preseason and League Pass filters, but the supplied page content does not identify another broadcaster for these matchups. An additional option such as Disney+ therefore cannot be confirmed here. Viewers in France, Spain and the United States should likewise check local NBA TV and League Pass availability rather than assuming that one market’s access applies elsewhere.

Where the games will be played

Both meetings take place at The Venetian Arena in Macao. According to the NBA, this is the second consecutive season in which the venue has hosted the games. The league’s general guide presents the October 9 matchup as Houston Rockets vs. Dallas Mavericks, while Dallas lists both as Mavericks vs. Rockets. Since they are neutral-site games, that order does not indicate a conventional home-court advantage.

These are preseason games

The games are part of preparation for the season, not the regular season. Their results therefore have no effect on the standings. The 2026 edition is the 16th NBA China Games event; the series began in 2004 and had featured 30 NBA preseason games before these matchups.

That context shapes how to view the event: the focus is on an international meeting between the teams, roster preparation and coaching decisions, not a battle for position in the standings.

Players and storylines to follow

The NBA guide highlights Cooper Flagg entering his second year with Dallas and Dusty May beginning his first NBA head-coaching job. For Houston, Kevin Durant starts his 19th NBA season and his second with the Rockets, alongside a young core that includes Alperen Sengun, Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr. and Reed Sheppard.

The league also says Kyrie Irving and Fred VanVleet are expected to appear in one of the two games, according to their coaches. That does not guarantee participation in a particular matchup; lineups and game status should be checked close to tipoff.

What to verify before the broadcast

Schedules can change, so confirm the start time and availability through the NBA’s official guide or the Mavericks’ event page. The first game is in the early morning for U.S. viewers, followed by another early start on Sunday. Each game falls on the same calendar date in Macao, Brazil, mainland Europe and the cited U.S. time zones.