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Joe Tsai opens up about NBA’s escalating China controversy

SHANGHAI — Joe Tsai expected this week to be about basketball, and watching his Nets play the Lakers before packed houses and huge TV audiences. Instead, he finds himself playing peacemaker.

Houston GM Daryl Morey’s tweet backing the Hong Kong protests started a firestorm in China, with sponsors pulling partnerships and the communist government shutting down a Nets appearance Tuesday.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver’s ensuing statement fanned the flames even further, with China Central Television and Tencent suspending broadcasts of Thursday’s Nets-Lakers game in Shanghai.

In short, it’s become a full-blown situation.