Thursday’s game between the host Chicago Bulls and Miami Heat was postponed to a later date due to moisture and slick conditions on the United Center floor.
Officials announced the postponement at around 9:54 p.m. ET, nearly two hours after the game was scheduled to tip off.
Players completed pregame warmups but remained on the court for about another 45 minutes as workers attempted to dry the surface with towels and brooms and officials tried to lower temperatures in the arena to combat the conditions.
“We always want to try to go,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “But players were complaining about it on both sides. Staff went out there and pretty much immediately we felt that it wasn’t playable.”
Heavy rain and high temperatures in the 50s Thursday coupled with the ice underneath the basketball court contributed to the condensation.
During the delay, Chicago mascot Benny the Bull challenged Miami sharpshooter Tyler Herro to a backward half-court shooting contest. The costumed bovine swished his first attempt before Herro, who on Tuesday became the second Heat player to make 1,000 3-pointers with the franchise, declined.
Chicago was attempting to stop a three-game losing streak and avenge a Nov. 21 loss to the visiting Heat.
Tickets from Thursday’s game will be valid for the rescheduled game, the Bulls announced.
