The NBA estimates a "net negative impact" of $200 million from China's reaction to a Tweet by Daryl Morey in support of protesters in Hong Kong, sources tell ESPN.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic hit the United States in March and caused a suspension of the season that led to $1.2 billion in losses, the projected loss from the NBA's China business was considered massive internally.

The Chinese Communist Party removed all NBA games from CCTV until late in The Finals, while games continued to stream for most of the season on Tencent. All games featuring the Houston Rockets, however, were banned in China.

The Rockets have historically been one of the NBA's most popular teams in China due to its history with Yao Ming.