The preseason game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Brooklyn Nets in Shanghai, China will go on as initially scheduled, but not without a catch. The corporate logos have been removed from the floor after many had pulled out their support for the NBA and the media availability before and after the game has been consequently canceled.

According to ESPN's Rachel Nichols, workers had to re-sand the floors since the original logos had been painted on, instead of using laminate stickers, as the NBA often has.

The Chinese government canceled the media availability for both teams, and even NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, who made the trip to Shanghai after his recent stay in Japan to promote the game.

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Marc Stein of The New York Times brought a potential theory to light: “China allowed the game to go ahead in part because they wanted the NBA to see what a sponsorless game (with money withheld) looks and feels like.”

The removal of sponsors and the elimination of the media session was a direct response to the ongoing NBA-China saga, which stemmed from Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey tweeting out an image supporting Hong Kong in its fight for democracy, something the Chinese government and mother broadcaster CCTV took umbrage to.

While Silver and the Rockets were initially apologetic, newer statement stood with Morey's freedom of speech after those who commented on the matter faced serious backlash from U.S. senators and others around the league.