Back to the Los Angeles Lakers Newsfeed

Chinese state TV doesn't air NBA opening slate; protests at Staples Center

Chinese state television did not air the NBA's opening night games Tuesday, and the league's streaming partner, Tencent, reduced its schedule and showed just the Lakers-Clippers contest.

Outside that game at Staples Center in Los Angeles, a group of protesters chanted and offered fans T-shirts that read: "Fight For Freedom Stand For Hong Kong." A smattering of fans wore them inside Staples during the game.

CCTV has customarily shown the league's opening night games but has pulled all NBA broadcasts in the wake of Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey's tweet on Oct.