By JACK BEZANTS, US DEPUTY SPORTS EDITOR

Published: 22:16 EST, 8 January 2026 | Updated: 23:04 EST, 8 January 2026

The NBA was bizarrely forced to postpone Miami Heat vs Chicago Bulls on Thursday night due to ‘moisture on the floor’.

The scheduled 7pm start of the game was delayed as staff tried to sort the arena floor. But after a two-hour delay, the game was called off at the United Center in Chicgao.

The officials cited ‘court conditions’ for the delay in starting the contest.  

There appeared to be moisture on the floor at the United Center, which is also home to the Chicago Blackhawks, who played Wednesday and will skate at the arena again Friday. Workers tried for hours to dry the surface using mops and towels but nothing worked.

According to Josh Frydman of WGN News, the moisture was caused by the torrential downpours in Chicago that caused higher humidity levels.

The game was officially postponed at 8:53pm, prompting some angry boos from the crowd. A rescheduled date for the game was not immediately announced.

The NBA was bizarrely forced to postpone Miami Heat vs Chicago Bulls due to the floor

The NBA was bizarrely forced to postpone Miami Heat vs Chicago Bulls due to the floor

Workers tried to remove the moisture from the floor for hours but were unsuccessful

Workers tried to remove the moisture from the floor for hours but were unsuccessful

The game was ultimately postponed and unhappy fans in the arena booed the decision

The game was ultimately postponed and unhappy fans in the arena booed the decision

WNBA star A'Ja Wilson had a courtside seat as she hoped to see boyfriend Bam Adebayo play

WNBA star A’Ja Wilson had a courtside seat as she hoped to see boyfriend Bam Adebayo play

The NBA said in a statement: ‘The NBA game scheduled for tonight between the Miami Heat and Chicago Bulls at United Center has been postponed due to moisture on the floor rendering the court unplayable.’ 

Maintenance personnel pushed large mops across court while players from both teams milled about dribbling, shooting and chatting at the start of the delay. 

At about 7:50 p.m. players and coaches returned to their dressing rooms and the floor was cleared to allow workers to attempt to dry the the surface using mops and towels. 

There were some famous guests who were made to wait for the game, too. WNBA star A’Ja Wilson had a courtside seat to cheer on her boyfriend Bam Adebayo, who plays for the Heat.

But given that the court was not deemed safe enough for a game, she didn’t get to see him in action. 

The Bulls entered at 17-20 and on a three-game losing streak. The contest was supposed to be the second in a four-game trip for the Heat (20-17). 

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NBA fans angry as Miami Heat vs Chicago Bulls is postponed for staggering reason