Two of the more socially conscious members of the Spurs sidestepped questions Monday about the controversy surrounding a tweet from Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey that expressed support for Hong Kong’s pro-democracy protests.

Morey ignited a firestorm in China over the weekend when he posted an image on Twitter that read, “Fight for freedom, stand with Hong Kong.” The tweet referred to the months of pro-democracy protests in semi-autonomous Hong Kong.

The backlash from China, a major source of revenue for the NBA, included the Chinese Basketball Association declaring Sunday it would suspend all cooperation with the Rockets, who are in Tokyo for a series of preseason games against the Toronto Raptors this week.

NBA games draw huge ratings in China, but Chinese broadcasters and streaming platforms said they would no longer broadcast games involving the Rockets, who have been popular in China since they signed Chinese star Yao Ming in 2002.

The Spurs practiced at their training facility Monday morning before flying to Miami for a preseason game Tuesday, but the players made available to the media after the workout dodged questions concerning the controversy.

Their silence was surprising because guards Lonnie Walker IV and Patty Mills usually weigh in on off-the-court subjects.

“I don’t know anything about that,” Walker said. “All I am worried about is Spurs basketball.”

Mills said he needed to “read up” on the situation before commenting.

“I will keep an eye on (Twitter),” Mills said. “I have heard little bits here and there, but not enough (to comment). That’s what plane rides are for, to study up.”

Walker and Mills met with reporters after they held separate conversations with a member of the Spurs media relations staff. A reporter asked for access to Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, but a team staffer said Popovich would not be made available Monday.

The next opportunity for Popovich to comment would be during his pregame session with reporters before Tuesday’s game.

The Chinese backlash triggered responses from the NBA and Morey.

The NBA acknowledged Sunday that Morey’s tweet “deeply offended many of our friends and fans in China, which is regrettable.”

But the statement from NBA Chief Communications Officer Mike Bass said, “While Daryl has made it clear that his tweet does not represent the Rockets or the NBA, the values of the league support individuals educating themselves and sharing their views on matters important to them.”

Late Monday, NBA commissioner Adam Silver attempted to clarify the league’s position, telling Japan’s Kyodo News that “Morey is supporterd in terms of his ability to exercise his freedom of expression.”

Morey’s tweet was deleted. In a new series of tweets Sunday, Morey said he was speaking only on his behalf.

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“I did not intend my tweet to cause any offense to Rockets fans and friends of mine in China,” Morey said. “I was merely voicing one thought, based on one interpretation, of one complicated event. I have had a lot of opportunity since that tweet to hear and consider other perspectives.”

In a tweet, Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta attempted to distance his team from politics.

“Morey “does NOT speak for the @HoustonRockets. Our presence in Tokyo is all about the promotion of the @NBA internationally and we are NOT a political organization,” Fertitta said on Twitter.

U.S. lawmakers from both major political parties — many of whom speak out against China’s communist regime, it’s alleged trade abuses and human rights violations — accused the NBA of placing revenue ahead of free expression.

Democratic presidential hopeful and former San Antonio mayor Julian Castro participated in the bipartisan backlash toward the NBA.

“China is using its economic power to silence critics — even those in the U.S.” Castro said. “The United States must lead with our values and speak out for pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong and not allow American citizens to be bullied by an authoritarian government.”

Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., argued in a tweet the league has thrown Morey “under the bus to please” the Chinese government. Other senators, including Ted Cruz, R-Texas, offered similar views.

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“As a lifelong @HoustonRockets fan, I was proud to see @dmorey call out the Chinese Communist Party’s repressive treatment of protesters in Hong Kong,” Cruz wrote. “Now in pursuit of big $$, the @nba is shamefully retreating.”