There Will Be No Media Availability for Lakers-Nets in China Due to Ongoing Debate

Despite all the doubt, the preseason game between the Lakers and Nets took place as scheduled with Brooklyn picking up the win on LeBron James' squad. But everyone knew the outcome of the game would be inconsequential, and not just because it's preseason.

Due to all the chaos between NBA and China, the Chinese government mandated that there would be absolutely no media availability of any kind during or after the game, and with another game between the Nets and Lakers scheduled to take place later this week, the rule will almost certainly stay in place for that one too.

After the Chinese government cancelled two NBA Cares events in Shanghai, many -- including the players -- were anxious about the fate of the preseason games, but with the amount of people showing up to see LeBron James and Kyrie Irving (who would exit early after aggravating his facial fracture), the show went on.

While it is preseason, these games are important in the sense that they ease players back into competitive basketball before the regular season starts later this month. With no media availability and uneasiness between China and the NBA at an all-time high, it looks like the players will get their reps in.