Updated Friday, Oct. 11, 2019, at 11:50 a.m. with details a letter from U.S. politicians to NBA Commissioner Adam Silver.

WASHINGTON — The NBA and the Houston Rockets are facing a barrage from across the political spectrum after backing away from general manager Daryl Morey’s support for Hong Kong’s pro-democracy protesters.

Sen. Ted Cruz, a Texas Republican, found an unlikely ally in Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-NY, who joined him and a bipartisan group of six other representatives and senators in writing a letter Thursday to NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, condemning his response to the controversy.

“It is outrageous that the Chinese Communist Party is using its economic power to suppress the speech of Americans inside the United States,” the group wrote. “It is also outrageous that the NBA has caved to Chinese government demands for contrition.”

The group also made several demands of the NBA, including asking the league to suspend all activities in China until the country ends its boycott of the league and the Rockets.

Earlier in the week, Cruz accused the NBA of “shamefully retreating” in the face of pressure from China. Beto O’Rourke, a Democratic contender for president who challenged Cruz last year, called the NBA’s apology to China an “embarrassment.”

The only thing the NBA should be apologizing for is their blatant prioritization of profits over human rights. What an embarrassment. https://t.co/bbiwCBTwc1 — Beto O'Rourke (@BetoORourke) October 7, 2019

The controversy began last week when Morey tweeted an image that said: “Fight for freedom. Stand with Hong Kong,” offering support to the ongoing protests in the Chinese territory.

Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta quickly distanced himself and the team from the comments, tweeting that Morey "does NOT speak for the @HoustonRockets." Morey later deleted his tweet, but not before it had drawn more than 1,000 comments and the attention of Chinese officials.

A statement the NBA posted on Weibo, a popular Chinese social network, took a strong stance against Morey, saying the league was "extremely disappointed" at his "inappropriate remarks."

Prominent Texans in both parties took the team and the NBA to task for caving to pressure from China.

Julián Castro, a former housing secretary and San Antonio mayor who also is running for president as a Democrat, joined the fray, accusing the Chinese government of using its global economic power to silence dissent.

"The United States must lead with our values and speak out for pro-democracy protestors in Hong Kong, and not allow American Citizens to be bullied by an authoritarian government," he tweeted.

Sen. John Cornyn, a Republican, tweeted a reply: "Julián, glad to agree with you on this one."

Julián, glad to agree with you on this one. https://t.co/0V7PHY1iIW — Senator John Cornyn (@JohnCornyn) October 7, 2019

"As a lifelong @HoustonRockets fan, I was proud to see @dmorey call out the Chinese Communist Party's repressive treatment of protestors in Hong Kong," Cruz tweeted. "Now, in pursuit of big $$, the @NBA is shamefully retreating."

"The only thing the NBA should be apologizing for is their blatant prioritization of profits over human rights," O'Rourke tweeted. "What an embarrassment."

As a lifelong @HoustonRockets fan, I was proud to see @dmorey call out the Chinese Communist Party’s repressive treatment of protestors in Hong Kong.



Now, in pursuit of big $$, the @nba is shamefully retreating. https://t.co/7waMde5KrM — Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) October 7, 2019

Mass protests in Hong Kong began four months ago after local authorities proposed a move to allow extradition of criminal suspects to mainland China. The protests have continued with demands to protect the city's democratic traditions from erosion by China. Clashes have escalated.

The Chinese consulate in Houston demanded the Rockets "correct the error," and the Chinese Basketball Association said it would suspend all cooperation with the Rockets.

The CBA's chairman is Yao Ming, the 7-foot-6-inch player who retired from the Rockets in 2011.

The NBA is the most popular sports league in China, and more than 300 million people play basketball in the country, according to the NBA.

The NBA said Sunday that Morey's tweet has "deeply offended many of our friends and fans in China, which is regrettable." The statement emphasized that Morey's tweet did not represent the Rockets or the NBA, although it supports individuals "sharing their views on matters important to them."

NEW: the NBA has released a statement on Daryl Morey: pic.twitter.com/FOI79W31b1 — Sopan Deb (@SopanDeb) October 7, 2019

Despite the criticism the NBA aimed at Morey, Silver insisted Monday in Tokyo that “Daryl Morey is supported in terms of his ability to exercise his freedom of expression.”

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver in Tokyo interview: "As a values-based organization that I want to make it clear...that Daryl Morey is supported in terms of his ability to exercise his freedom of expression."https://t.co/lG6P9pcnVM — Jonathan Cheng (@JChengWSJ) October 7, 2019

Morey himself posted an apology on Sunday aimed at smoothing things over with the Chinese.

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

2/ I have always appreciated the significant support our Chinese fans and sponsors have provided and I would hope that those who are upset will know that offending or misunderstanding them was not my intention. My tweets are my own and in no way represent the Rockets or the NBA. — Daryl Morey (@dmorey) October 7, 2019

Politicians around the country joined the dogpile on the NBA, condemning the league for its apology to China.

Sen. Marco Rubio tweeted that the controversy is "bigger than just the @NBA" as China influences U.S. businesses. Florida's other Republican senator, Rick Scott, said he was requesting a meeting with Silver to discuss the controversy.

"Now private citizens risk losing their jobs if they offend China," Rubio tweeted.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., called the NBA's response "unacceptable."

No one should implement a gag rule on Americans speaking out for freedom.



I stand with the people of Hong Kong in their pursuit of democratic rights.



I stand with Americans who want to voice their support for the people of Hong Kong.



Unacceptablehttps://t.co/5B5KMGZujh — Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) October 7, 2019

“I stand with the people of Hong Kong in their pursuit of democratic rights,” he tweeted. “I stand with Americans who want to voice their support for the people of Hong Kong.”