MACAO, China — No offense to Kyrie Irving’s Mavericks teammates or for that matter the Houston Rockets, but there is no question who will get the loudest cheers Friday and Sunday in the NBA China Games. Nor is there any doubt which player will attract the most cameras and reporter questions during Thursday’s Mavericks-Rockets Media Day, which is projected to be covered by more than 400 ...

The Dallas Mavericks' Kyrie Irving during Mavericks Media Day at American Airlines Center on Sept. 25, 2026, in Dallas.

Stacy Revere/Getty Images North America/TNS

MACAO, China — No offense to Kyrie Irving’s Mavericks teammates or for that matter the Houston Rockets, but there is no question who will get the loudest cheers Friday and Sunday in the NBA China Games.

Nor is there any doubt which player will attract the most cameras and reporter questions during Thursday’s Mavericks-Rockets Media Day, which is projected to be covered by more than 400 journalists, most of them from China and other Asian countries.

China’s lovefest with Mavericks star guard Irving, 34, dates well over a decade. During a quiet moment of reflection after Wednesday’s practice in Macao’s Venetian Arena, The Dallas Morning News asked Irving why he endears such strong feelings here, and vice versa.

“Well, when you come here at 19 years old, it’s hard not to make friends and get to know everybody,” he said. “I think initially coming over here, I didn’t know what to expect, and it’s grown on me ever since because of just the amount of support that I get.

“As soon as I land, get off the plane, fans are waiting at the airport. I get to the hotel, fans are waiting at the hotel. I go to the weight room, the fans are waiting in the weight room. They just love sport here. They love basketball. They love what we bring to the culture, as well.”

It’s no coincidence the global sportswear and equipment company with which he’s so personally aligned, ANTA, is based in Jingjiang, China, having been founded there in 1991.

When Irving signed with ANTA in July of 2023, it was a natural fit. He didn’t just sign with the company; he became its chief creative officer. He plays an active role in brand direction, design and marketing.

And it’s certainly not happenstance that these NBA China Games will bookend a big day for Irving and ANTA. Saturday will mark the global release of the ANTA Macao Pack, debuting with two of what is expected to be four new colorways: the KAI 3 “Hearts” and KAIBRID “Spades.”

Macao, of course, is known as The Las Vegas of Asia. It’s the only place in China that has legalized gambling.

The Friday and Sunday preseason games against Houston here in the Las Vegas Sands-owned Venetian Arena mark Irving’s return to the court from a 19-month absence following his left ACL tear of March 3, 2025.

Irving and ANTA have dubbed this “The Return” season. During a promotional visit to China in June, Irving shocked an 18-year-old superfan in China by dropping into his home in Shanghai, unannounced.

Just another, albeit famous, case of Irving and China connecting on a personal level.

“What we represent, especially in America, they follow what we release — whether it be apparel, whether it be shoes or whether it be quotes on our Instagram,” Irving said. “Or whether it be outfits that we’re wearing.

“They really enjoy our freedom to express, and I think that’s something that connects me. I have a very liberating spirit that I like to offer. Give a lot of hugs. I take walks around the town.

“I’ll surprise fans at their house or their apartment. Just do little things to make sure I’m staying engaged because the love is just continuing to grow. Mainly for me, it’s about paying it forward.”