An NBA official cut off CNN reporter Christina Macfarlane when she asked NBA superstars James Harden and Russell Westbrook about freedom of speech and the ongoing China debacle.

Macfarlane asked the basketball players if they "would feel differently about speaking out" after "fallout" from the Rockets general manager tweeting support for Hong Kong freedom protests. While she was still asking the question, a Houston Rockets media relations official tried to cut off Macfarlane from asking her question.

The official instructed Macfarlane to ask only questions about basketball, and another official tried to take her microphone. The reporter defended herself, saying she was asking a "legitimate question," which both Harden and Westbrook refused to answer.



Journalist gets quickly shut down when she asked James Harden, Russell Westbrook if they would refrain from speaking out on politics/social justice after China debacle... pic.twitter.com/VkXSWo0N0s — gifdsports (@gifdsports) October 10, 2019



The feud between the NBA and China started after Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey tweeted out support for Hong Kong freedom protests. China responded by ending all business ties with the Rockets and suspending broadcast of the NBA preseason. Chinese state-run media said the Communist Party and the NBA had "little room for reconciliation" after NBA commissioner Adam Silver said the league would stick behind Morey.

This week, two fans holding "Free Hong Kong" signs were thrown out of a Philadelphia 76ers game in Philadelphia.





The NBA apologized to the reporter for trying to censor her question.

"During today's Houston Rockets media availability, a team representative inappropriately interjected to prevent CNN's Christina Macfarlane from receiving an answer to her question. We've apologized to Ms. Macfarlane as this was inconsistent with how the NBA conducts media event," a league spokesperson said.

