It was supposed to be another electric night of NBA action at Chicago’s United Center, with the Bulls set to take on the Miami Heat in a matchup that had fans buzzing. Instead, the only thing that soared was the humidity—and with it, a rare and frustrating postponement that left players, coaches, and thousands of fans waiting in vain for tipoff. On January 8, 2026, the highly anticipated Bulls-Heat game was called off after nearly two hours of delays, all thanks to an unplayable, slick court caused by a perfect storm of weather and scheduling quirks.
The trouble began long before the scheduled 7:05 p.m. local time tipoff. Chicago was experiencing unseasonably warm temperatures, with the mercury climbing into the mid-50s and humidity levels approaching 90%. Add to that a steady downpour, and the stage was set for the unexpected. The United Center, home not only to the Bulls but also the NHL’s Chicago Blackhawks, had hosted a hockey game the night before. The ice rink, still beneath the basketball hardwood, began to melt along its edges as outside conditions worsened, creating condensation that seeped up and onto the court.
As players from both teams took the floor for their usual pregame routines, it became clear something was amiss. Maintenance staff hustled to mop up visible moisture, pushing large towels and squeegees across the slick hardwood. Despite their best efforts, the court remained dangerously slippery. According to multiple reports, players started voicing their concerns about safety, and with 9:13 remaining on the warmup clock, officials were officially notified of the hazardous conditions.
Heat coach Erik Spoelstra summed up the sentiment in the building: “Players were complaining about it on both sides, so, as a staff we went out there and pretty much immediately we thought it wasn’t playable.” Spoelstra, who’s no stranger to the quirks of NBA arenas, added, “We have that in our practice facility [in Miami] when there is condensation, it takes about 15 minutes for it to change. But this is a huge building. We weren’t optimistic it was going to change.”
What followed was a nearly two-hour saga of waiting, hoping, and ultimately disappointment. At first, officials delayed the start by about 40 minutes, with an announcement that tipoff would be pushed back to after 8 p.m. local time. The arena’s air conditioning was cranked up in a desperate attempt to dry things out, but the humidity inside the building was nearly double its usual level—reportedly around 60% compared to the typical 30% during a basketball game.
While maintenance crews continued their battle with the moisture, players tried to make the best of the situation. Some, like Bulls wing Isaac Okoro and guard Jevon Carter, passed the time with a game of HORSE or PIG. Even Benny the Bull, Chicago’s beloved mascot, got in on the action, banking in a backward half-court shot in front of Heat guard Tyler Herro, drawing cheers from the restless crowd. Yet, as the clock ticked on, optimism faded with every passing minute.
By around 8:50 p.m., both teams retreated to their locker rooms, only to reemerge about 35 minutes later for another assessment. Bulls head coach Billy Donovan and Spoelstra were seen in conversation, but it was clear the decision was looming. Without attempting another round of warmups, both squads left the court once more at approximately 9:45 p.m. Not long after, the NBA made it official: the game was postponed, with a makeup date to be announced later.
Crew chief Sean Wright later explained the decision process in a pool report interview, stating, “Player safety is always the most important, despite the efforts by the United Center to rectify the situation. We were unsuccessful in doing so, and we decided that player safety was the most important, and we just couldn’t guarantee a safe on-court experience.” He also clarified that the delay took as long as it did because officials were not notified about the slippery conditions until late in the warmup period.
The United Center’s unique dual role as home to both the Bulls and Blackhawks played a significant part in the night’s events. With the Blackhawks having played the previous evening and scheduled for another game the following night, the ice rink beneath the basketball floor remained in place. This, combined with the rare January weather, created a scenario that arena staff and league officials simply couldn’t overcome.
The Bulls organization issued a statement on social media, apologizing for the inconvenience and reassuring fans that tickets for Thursday’s game would be honored for the rescheduled contest. “Tonight’s game has officially been postponed due to court conditions,” the Bulls stated. “The game will be made up at a later date and tickets from tonight’s game will be valid for the rescheduled game. We apologize for any inconvenience.”
It’s not every day that an NBA game gets postponed for weather-related reasons inside an arena, but this wasn’t the first time the league has faced such a challenge. The last instance came on March 6, 2017, when a Minnesota Timberwolves home game against the Portland Trail Blazers was shelved for similar condensation issues following unseasonably warm weather in Minneapolis. Philadelphia also saw a game postponed for the same reason during the 2016-17 season. Still, these occurrences are exceedingly rare, and Thursday’s events served as an unusual reminder of just how much Mother Nature—and the logistics of multipurpose arenas—can impact the world of professional sports.
For the Bulls, who entered the night on a three-game losing streak and with a 17-20 record, the postponement means a longer wait to try to snap their skid. The Heat, meanwhile, were in the midst of a four-game road trip and will have to adjust their travel plans with the uncertainty of a makeup date. The Blackhawks’ own schedule further complicates matters, as their Friday night home game against the Washington Capitals means the United Center will remain in hockey mode for at least another day.
As for the fans, both in the arena and watching at home, there was little to do but wait and wonder. When will the Bulls and Heat finally get their chance to settle things on the court? For now, all eyes are on the NBA’s scheduling department and the ever-unpredictable Chicago weather. One thing’s certain: when the rescheduled game finally tips off, it’ll have been a long time coming—and the hardwood will be dry, no matter what the forecast says.
