Lakers-Nets Media Events 'Postponed' in China

Multiple NBA media events featuring the Los Angeles Lakers and the Brooklyn Nets were abruptly shelved Wednesday in China, calling into question whether two scheduled exhibition games between the teams will even take place later this week.

The cancelations come as the league continues to deal with the fallout of Rockets general manager Daryl Morey tweeting his support for Hong Kong protestors last week, a move that enraged China’s Communist government.

First, a planned media session including both teams was scrapped. “Given the fluidity of the situation, today’s media availability has been postponed,” a NBA spokesperson said in a statement on Wednesday.

Also Read: Banned Pro-Hong Kong Blizzard Gamer: 'I'm Not Afraid' of Chinese Government

Later, an NBA Cares event, benefiting the Special Olympics, was called off, followed by a “fan appreciation” night, where the league was set to announce it would be renovating outdoor courts in Shanghai, also being dropped.

The wave of last-minute cancelations has suddenly put Thursday’s Lakers-Nets matchup in jeopardy. The two teams are also scheduled to play on Saturday in Shenzhen. Adding to the growing suspicion the games could be canceled, billboards showcasing Thursday’s game, including Lakers stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis, have been pulled down by construction workers.

ESPN host Rachel Nichols, who is in China for the games, reported that the ordeal has been “frustrating” for the players, with the Lakers having their practice unexpectedly moved when they were told an arena was now unavailable to them. The raucous crowds that typically greet NBA players has been subdued, Nichols reported, with Chinese fans covering their faces from TV cameras, fearing they’ll be spotted cheering for their favorite players as they enter and leave their hotels.

Also Read: NBA, Politicians Weigh in as Fallout From Rockets GM's Hong Kong Tweet Grows

The NBA-China rift first opened on Friday, when Morey tweeted his support of Hong Kong, writing in a since-deleted tweet: “Fight for Freedom. Stand With Hong Kong.” It was immediately criticized by the Chinese government. The Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) suspended all cooperation with the Rockets, which is among the most popular in China. The Chinese Media Group, the country’s state-controlled media arm, said it was “deeply shocked by the erroneous comments” made by Morey. Tencent Sports, which signed a five-year, $1.5 billion to continue as the NBA’s streaming partner in China, said it would no longer offer live-streams of Rockets games and suspended all news coverage of the team.

CCTV, the state-run broadcasting network, has followed suit, canceling its plans to air the Lakers-Nets preseason game on Thursday.

Rob Gronkowski, Snoop Dogg, Nikki Bella Fuel ESPYS Week Parties (Photos)

The Oscars of the sports world has expanded into a full week of ESPYS-related parties - with Rob Gronkowski seemingly making it to all of them.
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The former Patriots tight end went to head-to-head with Floyd Mayweather to tip off the week in the Monster Energy $50K Charity Challenge Celebrity Basketball Game at UCLA's Pauley Pavilion.
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Team captain Gronk was joined by his biggest cheerleader/girlfriend, Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue cover model, Camille Kostek. Rob also recruited big brother Chris Gronkowski onto his team, but still went down fighting to Team Mayweather.
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Snoop Dogg acted as Team Gronk's coach for the celeb-filled game that raised money for Teen Cancer America.
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"Dancing With the Stars" pros Jenna Johnson and Val Chmerkovskiy forgot to keep their eyes on the ball as the sat courtside.
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MVP of party-rocking and future NFL Hall of Famer Gronk hosted the ESPYS Official Pre-Party at Hotel Figueroa in downtown LA. the night before the 2019 awards.
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If you ever wonder where the three-time Super Bowl champion gets his dance moves from, look no further than Gordy "Papa Gronk" Gronkowski.
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Yep, the apple doesn't fall far from tree as Chris, Dan and Rob Gronkowski prepared to set the dance-floor on fire to tunes by DJ D-Nice.
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Jimmy V Award for Perseverance honoree Rob Mendez, a football coach born without arms or legs, joined in the dance-off with the Gronks, Paralympians and Afghanistan veteran Israel Del Toro.
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Cassidy Hubbarth, Katie Nolan and Dianna Russini walked the red carpet at the pre-ESPYS party before hosting ESPN's "Red Carpet Live" on Twitter the following day.
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2018 U.S. Open champion Brooks Koepka proved that golfers can party too.
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Also on Tuesday night, the Players' Tribune founder Derek Jeter welcomed stars such as Cam Newton to the Players’ Night Out party in Hollywood.
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WNBA teammates Breanna Stewart and Sue Bird took advantage of the couch to give their feet a break at the Players’ Night Out party.
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Legends Award honoree Dwyane Wade walked the orange carpet with his kids at the Nickelodeon "Kids' Choice Sports" before getting drowned in gold slime ... (be sure to take that expensive watch off, Wade!)
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It's about to get messy between skateboarding phenomena Nyjah Huston and Gronk at Nickelodeon's "Kids' Choice Sports."
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Snowboarders Chloe Kim and Toby Miller prove they're the cutest couple in extreme sports.
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Cedars-Sinai and Sports Spectacular closed out the festivities with the 34th Annual Gala Celebration on Monday, once again held at Snoop Dogg's (with MMA ring announcer Bruce Buffer) compound in Inglewood.
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First-time attendee WWE Superstar Nikki Bella pledged her support to the Sports Spectacular Diabetes and Obesity Wellness and Research Center. "I am now in for life, I love when you can be at such an amazing event that raises awareness for such a good cause," she told TheWrap. "It is so important as athletes with our platforms to educate people."
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L.A. Rams running back Todd Gurley now has Sports Spectacular's NFL Player of the Year Award -- presented by none other than Snoop Dogg -- to add to his trophy cabinet.
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Former San Diego Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman, who is now in the fighting business with Lights Out Extreme Fighting, swapped moves with former UFC champion Tyron Woodley at the Sports Spectacular gala.
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The most talented siblings in the WNBA, L.A. Sparks teammates Chiney and Nneka Ogwumike shared health tips at the Sports Spectacular gala before checking out the Beyond Meat-catered cuisine.
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LAFC teammates Walker Zimmerman and Tyler Miller were on hand when the MLS team, now in its second season, won the Community Spirit Award. "From the beginning, they made it a point to get involved with the community, being the first soccer team in downtown L.A.," Zimmerman (left) told TheWrap. "It is a testament to people in the front office but also our supporters, who get involved with every type of charity event."
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Currently out with an ACL injury that she suffered while playing in Europe, Seattle Storm WNBA star Stewart reminded Sports Spectacular guests that "Women Ball Too," before collecting the award for Female Athlete of the Year.
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