The National Basketball Association has unveiled a multiyear alliance with Alibaba Group, tapping the e-commerce giant's cloud and artificial intelligence prowess to supercharge fan engagement in China—just as the league stages its first games on Chinese soil in six years.

Alibaba Cloud steps in as the official cloud computing and AI partner for NBA China, the announcement detailed, powering everything from personalized app features to data-driven highlights.

The Brooklyn Nets, owned by Alibaba chairman Joseph Tsai, face the Phoenix Suns in back-to-back preseason clashes Friday and Sunday at the Venetian Arena, a sold-out spectacle under a five-year deal with casino operator Sands China.

NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal headlines celebrity guests, while 7-foot-1 rookie sensation Yang Hansen—Portland Trail Blazers' top draft pick—voiced excitement over the return, hoping it sparks more hoops down the road.

The timing couldn't be sharper: With an estimated 300 million basketball enthusiasts in China, the NBA seeks to reclaim lost ground after a 2019 uproar. Houston Rockets GM Daryl Morey's X post backing Hong Kong protesters ignited Beijing's fury, yanking broadcasts, scaring off sponsors and costing the league tens of millions.

Alibaba's pitch centers on innovation—developing an AI model from its Qwen series to tailor content for Chinese fans—while Macau's neutral turf sidesteps mainland sensitivities.