A potentially catastrophic winter storm has caused commotion throughout parts of the country and could affect the NBA regular-season schedule as Southern states prepare for ice conditions, while Midwest, Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern states expect heavy snow.
The NBA announced Thursday that the Jan. 24 regular-season matchup between the Washington Wizards and the Charlotte Hornets in Charlotte, North Carolina was moved to the early afternoon due to severe winter storm warnings in the area.
Their game was originally supposed to tip-off at 6 p.m. ET Saturday, however the game was moved up six hours and will now tip-off time at noon ET because of the impending weather.
Winter Storm Fern, as named by The Weather Channel, could cause power outages, tree damage and make travel plans more dangerous. States within the southern Rockies, the Texas Panhandle and Oklahoma, the Ohio Valley and Northeast will likely pick up at least six inches of snow through Monday, the Weather Channel forecasted. A number of states in the South, including North Carolina, could be hit by a dangerous ice storm.
Dallas Mavericks vs. Los Angeles Lakers
With the Wizards-Hornets game in Charlotte being rescheduled to an earlier start time, many look at the Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers Saturday evening game and wonder if it’ll be postponed or rescheduled as well.
The Mavericks-Lakers game is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET (7:30 p.m. local) Saturday at American Airline Center in Dallas.
As of now, the game time remains intact, however the Mavericks are keeping an eye out for the weather in case they need to make arrangements.
In an post on social media, the Mavericks said they are ‘closely monitoring’ the weather conditions leading up to the Jan. 24 game and will take ‘all necessary precautions’ to ensure a safe and comfortable experience.
‘Fans are encouraged to plan ahead allow extra travel time, and stay tuned to official Dallas Mavericks channels for real-time updates,’ the X post read. ‘The Mavericks will provide an additional update on Saturday should conditions change or further operational adjustments be required.’
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Indiana Pacers
Despite threats of severe winter weather, the NBA Finals rematch between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City is still on track and time has not been moved, according to The Oklahoman.
The game is set to tip off at 8 p.m. ET (7 p.m. CT).
NBA canceled games
A postponed game wouldn’t be uncharted territory for the NBA.
Earlier this month, a scheduled Jan. 8 contest between the Chicago Bulls and Miami Heat at United Center in Chicago was postponed ‘due to moisture on the floor, rendering the court unplayable,’ the NBA said in a statement.
Humidity from a warm and rainy Chicago day caused excessive condensation leading to a slippery court.
The Bulls-Heat game was rescheduled for Jan. 29.