The highly anticipated game between the Miami Heat and Chicago Bulls was postponed due to condensation on the court at the United Center in Chicago. This decision was made after officials deemed the court unsafe for play.
Details of the Incident
The game was scheduled for Thursday, January 9, 2026. It followed a Chicago Blackhawks game that took place on ice the previous day. An unusually warm and rainy day led to unforeseen issues with the basketball court’s condition.
Attempts to Resolve the Issue
Before the postponement, players from both teams conducted their regular pregame warmups. However, concerns quickly arose regarding the court’s safety. Following over 90 minutes of attempts to remedy the situation, including:
- Increasing the arena’s air conditioning
- Using mops and large towels to dry the court
game officials, coaches, and the NBA league office came together to make the decision to postpone.
Reactions from Coaches
Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra expressed the players’ concerns, stating, “The players were complaining about it on both sides. We all went out there and pretty much immediately felt that it wasn’t playable.”
Future Implications
As of Thursday night, no makeup date has been announced. The Miami Heat are not scheduled to return to Chicago this season, raising questions about when the game will be rescheduled.
Historical Context
This incident is not the first of its kind. During the 2016-17 NBA season, other games in Minnesota and Philadelphia faced similar postponements due to condensation caused by warm weather in cold-weather cities after ice events were held in the arenas.
