The Dallas Mavericks\u2019 scheduled 6:30 p.m. CST matchup Tuesday against the Brooklyn Nets is increasingly dependent on weather rather than basketball.<\/p>\n
A historic winter storm sweeping across the Northeast has created widespread transportation disruptions, leaving both teams outside New York and facing uncertain travel windows.<\/p>\n
As of Monday, the game remains on the NBA schedule. However, travel logistics for both clubs remain unresolved. More than 5,000 flights across the United States were canceled Monday as blizzard conditions intensified. LaGuardia Airport has been among the most heavily impacted hubs, with more than 1,000 cancellations reported. Photos from the airport show runways blanketed in snow as plows attempt to clear accumulation.<\/p>\n
New York City remains under a full travel ban for non-essential vehicles through noon Monday as part of a declared state of emergency. Blizzard warnings extend through the day, with forecasts calling for 1\u20132 feet of snow and wind gusts between 30\u201355 mph. The New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services warned of \u201cnear-impossible travel\u201d conditions and potential whiteout visibility across Downstate New York.<\/p>\n
Public transit operations have been significantly curtailed. NJ Transit suspended all train, bus, light rail and access link services until further notice. In New York City, some express subway trains are operating on local tracks, though the Metropolitan Transportation Authority has warned of severe delays and advised customers to avoid travel. Bus service remains limited.<\/p>\n
Both Teams Face Departure Uncertainty<\/p>\n
The Mavericks are currently in Indianapolis following Sunday\u2019s win over the Indiana Pacers and are scheduled to practice on Monday before attempting to travel to New York City. However, flight availability remains fluid, and Dallas may also be unable to depart Indianapolis on Monday, depending on airport operations and weather-related capacity reductions.<\/p>\n
Brooklyn faces similar complications. The Nets are not expected to depart Atlanta on Monday and are currently planning to attempt a return flight Tuesday morning.<\/p>\n
With both teams outside the New York market and regional airports operating under significant strain, the margin to stage Tuesday\u2019s game has narrowed considerably.<\/p>\n
Head coach Jason Kidd<\/a> addressed the uncertainty following Sunday\u2019s contest.<\/p>\n \u201cYou might not be able to get there \u2014 so it\u2019s all good. I\u2019m joking,\u201d Kidd said. \u201cThe weather \u2014 I don\u2019t know why we\u2019re going to be affected and you\u2019re going to be affected. Tomorrow\u2019s going to be a long day. We can\u2019t leave until the evening and there\u2019s no guarantee. We\u2019ve been in this situation before. Hopefully we can get out and get to New York. Brooklyn\u2019s in Atlanta in the same situation. Hopefully there\u2019s a game, because I don\u2019t know in our calendar where we can make one up.\u201d<\/p>\n If either team remains grounded into Tuesday, operational considerations would include arena staffing, team preparation time and overall game-day logistics.<\/p>\n NBA Holds Final Authority<\/p>\n Under NBA protocol, only the league office has authority to postpone or reschedule games. Earlier this season, the NBA postponed the Mavericks\u2019 matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks when winter weather prevented Dallas from departing North Texas. In other instances, the league has adjusted tip times on short notice when teams were able to arrive later than planned.<\/p>\n Players acknowledged the possibility of an extended travel day.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not really too happy about it,\u201d P.J. Washington<\/a> said. \u201cI don\u2019t think anybody wants to stay the night here. It is what it is. We\u2019ve been dealing with stuff like that the whole year. Just hope we get there.\u201d<\/p>\n