Chinese New Year was observed during the Brooklyn Nets vs. Boston Celtics game.

Chinese New Year was observed during the Brooklyn Nets vs. Boston Celtics game.

On February 13, 2024, in New York, the United States, the Brooklyn Nets and the Boston Celtics played an NBA regular season game. Luke Kornet (top L) of the Boston Celtics and Day’Ron Sharpe of the Brooklyn Nets compete for the ball. (Image via Xinhua/Michael Nagle)

Ben Simmons, a Brooklyn Nets player, announced that he will donate more money to the Guizhou region in southwest China in 2024 after making a commitment to construct a basketball court there the previous year.

by Xinhua authors Xing Yue and Liu Yanan

February 14, New York (Xinhua) — The Boston Celtics were the opponent for the Brooklyn Nets’ yearly Chinese New Year celebration game on Tuesday night.

Traditional Chinese dances, a performance by rapper Wang Yitai, the sale of personalized sweatshirts and T-shirts, a fortunate draw, the distribution of red envelopes, free samples from Chinese food vendors, the opportunity to post New Year’s greetings, and other events were all part of the festivities.

Barclays Center was decked out for the occasion with red banners, stands, and Year of Dragon motifs. Throughout the game, lucky slogans were displayed on the scoreboard and digital display in the middle of the stadium.

Before the Brooklyn Nets and Boston Celtics play in the 2023–2024 NBA regular season on February 13, 2024, in New York, United States, red envelopes for attendees to celebrate Chinese New Year are placed on chairs. (Image via Xinhua/Michael Nagle)

Each fan present received a special red packet with a bracelet for the Year of the Dragon inside.

For the Chinese New Year, Brooklyn Nets CEO Sam Zussman and Chinese Consul General Huang Ping in New York exchanged gifts. BSE Global is the parent company of the Brooklyn Nets.

During warmups, Nets players donned personalized Chinese New Year shooting shirts, and player introductions were announced in Mandarin.

On February 13, 2024, during the Brooklyn Nets vs. Boston Celtics NBA regular season game in New York, the United States, Ben Simmons (top L) of the Brooklyn Nets and Derrick White of the Boston Celtics reach for a rebound. (Image via Xinhua/Michael Nagle)

Ben Simmons, a player for the Nets, announced during a pre-game video speech that he would donate more money to the Guizhou region in southwest China in 2024. This comes after he donated money to build a basketball court there the previous year.

Chinese hip-hop performer Wang Yitai gave a performance during halftime, while Chinese musicians also provided instrumental music prior to the game.

Before the game even began, custom crewneck sweatshirts and T-shirts were sold out, and at the first-ever Chinese cuisine carnival, six food kiosks distributed thousands of samples of Chinese cuisine.

Before the Brooklyn Nets and Boston Celtics play in the 2023–2024 NBA regular season on February 13, 2024, in New York, spectators attend the Chinese Cuisine Carnival, which is a part of the Chinese New Year celebrations. (Image via Xinhua/Michael Nagle)

According to Tony Hu, the founder and chairman of the U.S.-China Restaurant Alliance, it was intended that through the carnival, onlookers would learn more about Chinese culture, particularly Chinese cuisine.

Hu continued, “The carnival was well received, and people waited in line to get the food even after the game started.”

■ The Boston Celtics defeated the Brooklyn Nets 118–110 at the end of Tuesday’s game.