As the NBA regular season gets underway on Tuesday, Adam Silver believes the league's partnership with China will be repaired. 

"This has been a very difficult moment between the NBA and China," Silver said on ESPN. "My belief is ... we will get back on track. People need to step back. Everybody has made their points. There is no secret here about what's going on in China. ... Basketball diplomacy and engagement is positive. That's what we're turning back to."

Last weekend, Chinese state television warned Silver that he could face "retribution" for defending Daryl Morey and defaming China by suggesting they requested the firing of Morey.