Unexpected Court Hazard Forces Last-Minute Postponement of Bulls vs. Heat Game—What Went Wrong?

When the Miami Heat took a scheduled trip to face the Chicago Bulls on a humid Thursday night, nobody could have predicted that it wouldn’t be a last-second buzzer-beater or intense defense that would steal the show—but instead, a slick, condensation-covered court at the United Center . Imagine the frustration—a venue freshly hosting a Blackhawks game the night before, now battling unseasonably warm, muggy, and rainy weather conditions that conspired against the players and officials alike. Despite valiant attempts to mop and dry the slick surface, the moisture had a stubborn way of creeping back, transforming the court into a hazard neither team was willing to risk. As fans streamed in, the increased humidity sealed the deal—leading to a unanimous and wise call from the NBA, referees, and coaches to postpone the game. It’s a rare twist of fate—one where nature, not the Heat, slowed down the action under Chicago’s lights. The reschedule date remains a mystery for now, leaving us all eager to see when these two squads will finally meet on a safe floor. LEARN MORE

It wasn’t the Heat, it was the humidity.

The Miami Heat at Chicago Bulls game on Thursday night has been postponed due to condensation on the court at the United Center.

The decision was made by the NBA, the game’s referees, and both head coaches.

There was a quick turnaround at the United Center after a Blackhawks game the night before, and the day turned out to be unseasonably warm, humid, and rainy in Chicago. That led to a lot of condensation on the court, and while there was a considerable effort to mop and towel up the water, the condensation returned to the court, making the conditions unsafe. When the doors were opened to the public, it allowed more humidity into the building, making the effort to mop the court a losing battle, according to reporters at the game.

Erik Spoelstra told Miami reporters: ” We always want to try to go. But players were complaining about it on both sides. Staff went out there and pretty much immediately we felt that it wasn’t playable.”

— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) January 9, 2026