Shanghai game still on despite Hong Kong row: NBA

The National Basketball Association (NBA) confirmed that it would go ahead with an exhibition game in Shanghai on Thursday that had looked in doubt after a team executive ignited a free speech row.

"The Lakers and the Nets will face each other in the NBA China game in Shanghai beginning tonight at 19:30," the NBA said on its verified Chinese social media account.

An NBA representative also confirmed the game would go ahead, in a message to AFP.

Earlier today, Chinese organisers cancelled a fan event on the eve of a NBA exhibition game in Shanghai.

Chinese sponsors and partners have been cutting ties with the NBA after the Twitter post by Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey last week supporting anti-government protests in Hong Kong.

The NBA controversy also comes against the backdrop of a US-China trade war that escalated after Washington imposed visa restrictions on Chinese officials on Tuesday.