Harden 'sorry' to China as Rockets on defence over Hong Kong tweet

Houston Rockets and NBA were forced into defensive mode as China's state broadcaster said it was yanking Rockets games from the air and sponsors abandoned them.

Houston Rockets star James Harden on Monday apologised to China over a tweet by the team's general manager backing Hong Kong's democracy protests that cost the franchise TV exposure and sponsorship in the lucrative Chinese market.

The team and the NBA were forced into defensive mode as China's state broadcaster said it was yanking Rockets games from the air and sponsors abandoned them.

The controversy quickly spread across the Pacific, as commentators and even a US presidential candidate rounded on the league for kowtowing to authoritarian Beijing.

In Tokyo, where the team is playing two exhibition games this week, Harden distanced himself from the controversy raging in the NBA's biggest market outside the US.

"We apologise. We love China," he said, standing alongside fellow Rockets guard Russell Westbrook.

"We love playing there. Both of us, we go there once or twice a year. They show us most support so we appreciate them."

The furore comes after general manager Daryl Morey — whose Rockets attracted a huge following in China after signing superstar Yao Ming in 2002 — posted a tweet Friday featuring the message "Fight for Freedom. Stand with Hong Kong".

On Monday, he tried to calm the waters.

"I did not intend my tweet to cause any offence to Rockets fans and friends of mine in China," he tweeted.