Some lawmakers came out in support of Morey and criticized the NBA for distancing themselves from the league manager.
"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," Republican Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas said on Twitter on Monday.
"Now, in pursuit of $$, the @NBA is shamefully retreating."
Democratic Rep. Tom Malinowski of New Jersey slammed the NBA for "apologizing" to China.
"And the #NBA, which (correctly) has no problem with players/employees criticizing our govt, is now apologizing for criticizing the Chinese gov't," Malinowski tweeted. "This is shameful and cannot stand."