Winter Storm Forces NBA into Emergency Schedule Changes
A powerful winter storm sweeping across the United States has forced the NBA to make rapid schedule adjustments, with multiple games postponed on Sunday due to dangerous travel conditions. The storm, which brought icy weather from North Texas to Tennessee, created unsafe situations that affected teams, arenas, and local communities throughout the region.
Dallas Mavericks Grounded by Icy Conditions
The Dallas Mavericks felt the immediate impact of the severe weather. Coming off a home game against the Los Angeles Lakers, the team was preparing for a demanding road stretch when ice and sleet shut down departures from the region. By midafternoon, it became clear the Mavericks could not reach Milwaukee in time for their scheduled Sunday night game against the Bucks.
The NBA officially postponed the game just hours before tipoff, prioritizing safety as weather systems tightened their grip on major cities. The Mavericks attempted twice to fly to Milwaukee, but both efforts failed as ice and freezing temperatures halted operations at Dallas-area airports, where more than 1,000 flights were canceled over a 36-hour period.
Multiple Games Affected Across the League
The storm's impact extended beyond the Dallas-Milwaukee matchup. Earlier in the day, the NBA also postponed the Denver Nuggets' game against the Memphis Grizzlies approximately three hours before tipoff. Memphis experienced snow, sleet, and freezing rain that downed power lines, blocked roads, and caused widespread power outages.
Local authorities in affected areas urged residents to stay off the streets as refreezing conditions worsened the situation. In a positive community response, food prepared for the Milwaukee game at Fiserv Forum was donated to shelters in the area.
Schedule Adjustments and Additional Postponements
The NBA also adjusted Monday's schedule, moving two games to earlier start times to reduce travel risks. These changes followed dozens of schedule moves earlier in the week that were made in anticipation of the approaching storm.
Separately, the league had postponed a Golden State Warriors and Minnesota Timberwolves game on Saturday to "prioritize the safety and security of the Minneapolis community" after a fatal shooting occurred less than two miles from the Timberwolves' arena.
Storm's Reach Extends Beyond NBA
The winter storm's disruption extended to other basketball leagues as well. An NBA G League game between the Memphis Hustle and Stockton Kings scheduled for Monday in Southaven, Mississippi, was postponed and rescheduled for February 19.
College basketball also faced significant delays, with several men's and women's games postponed or pushed back as hazardous conditions spread across the region.
Rescheduling Details and Official Statement
No reschedule dates have been announced for the postponed NBA games in Memphis and Milwaukee. The league confirmed the decision involving Dallas with an official release stating: "The Dallas Mavericks road game against the Milwaukee Bucks scheduled for today at 6 p.m. CT at Fiserv Forum has been postponed due to winter weather conditions in North Texas that prevented the team from departing Dallas in time for tipoff. The date for the rescheduled game will be announced by the NBA at a later time."
For now, teams continue to monitor weather conditions as the league works through another round of midseason disruptions caused by severe weather patterns affecting professional sports schedules across multiple states.
