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14 Mar 2025, Fri

NBA faces postponements after snowstorm in Atlanta and devastating wildfires in Los Angeles

NBA


The 2024-2025 NBA season has been marked by a series of climatic setbacks that directly impacted the league’s game schedule. With extreme weather events occurring in different regions of the United States, the league had to take swift measures to ensure the safety of players, fans, and staff. In Atlanta, an intense snowstorm forced the postponement of the game between the Houston Rockets and the Atlanta Hawks. Meanwhile, in Los Angeles, wildfires spread across various parts of the city, leading to the postponement of three significant matches. The climatic chaos highlighted the vulnerability of major sporting events to adverse natural conditions.

Last Friday, Atlanta was hit by a winter storm that paralyzed the city. Streets were covered in ice and snow, making conditions dangerous for travel. The NBA, in an official statement, announced that the decision to postpone the game was made in conjunction with local authorities, prioritizing everyone’s safety. This situation brought to light the importance of emergency plans in the face of extreme weather events, which are becoming increasingly frequent in the United States.

Meanwhile, on the West Coast, the wildfires ravaging Los Angeles forced the postponement of three more games. The game between the Los Angeles Lakers and Charlotte Hornets, which was to be held at the Crypto.com Arena, was one of the affected matches. With five active fire fronts, more than 100,000 people were evacuated from the affected areas, including Lakers coach JJ Redick, who lost his home in the flames.

Snowstorm in Atlanta paralyzes the city and impacts the NBA schedule

The winter storm that hit Atlanta is one of the most severe in recent years. Local authorities reported that temperatures dropped drastically to -10°C, with strong winds exacerbating the wind chill. Streets and highways became impassable, and more than 110,000 people were left without power due to snow-induced outages.

The game between the Houston Rockets and the Atlanta Hawks, scheduled for Saturday, was immediately postponed by the NBA. The decision was made after a careful analysis of weather conditions and recommendations from public safety authorities. This was not the first time an NBA game was postponed due to extreme weather, but the severity of the storm in Atlanta caught attention.

The league has not yet announced a new date for the game, but it is expected that the schedule will be adjusted in the coming weeks. The postponement affected not only the players but also fans who had already purchased tickets and planned their attendance at the game.

Climatic impacts in Los Angeles trigger mass evacuations

While Atlanta was dealing with extreme cold, Los Angeles faced one of the worst wildfires in the last decade. The fires began in the Pacific Palisades area and quickly spread to other regions, including Pasadena, Hollywood Hills, and the San Fernando Valley. Strong winds and high temperatures contributed to the rapid spread of the flames, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake.

The wildfires forced the NBA to postpone three games:

  • Los Angeles Lakers vs. Charlotte Hornets
  • Los Angeles Lakers vs. San Antonio Spurs
  • Los Angeles Clippers vs. Charlotte Hornets

More than 80,000 people were forced to leave their homes, and around 100,000 had been evacuated by Saturday. The situation became even more dramatic when Lakers coach JJ Redick had to be evacuated from his residence, which was completely destroyed by the fire.

Consequences for the NBA schedule

The postponements will inevitably impact the NBA schedule. With an already tight season, the league will need to find alternative dates for the postponed games without compromising team performance. Adjustments to travel schedules and reduced rest periods may be necessary, which could affect the teams’ performance throughout the season.

The NBA has faced similar situations in the past, but the combination of snowstorms and wildfires is unprecedented. This raises questions about how the league can better prepare to handle extreme weather events in the future.

History of weather-related events affecting the NBA

Although rare, the postponement of games due to weather conditions is not an isolated occurrence in NBA history. Here are some notable cases:

  1. In 1993, a snowstorm in New York postponed the game between the New York Knicks and Orlando Magic.
  2. In 2014, a snowstorm in Indiana forced the postponement of the match between the Indiana Pacers and Atlanta Hawks.
  3. In 2017, a hurricane in Miami postponed the game between the Miami Heat and Orlando Magic.
  4. In 2020, wildfires in California affected the scheduling of several sporting events, including NBA games.
  5. In 2023, a tropical storm caused the postponement of a game for the New Orleans Pelicans.

These events show that the NBA needs to be prepared for unexpected situations, especially in a scenario of global climate change.

Safety measures adopted by the NBA

The NBA has strict protocols for dealing with emergencies, including natural disasters. Among the measures adopted are:

  • Continuous monitoring of weather conditions in cities hosting games.
  • Constant communication with local and state authorities.
  • Contingency plans for relocating games and adjusting schedules.
  • Absolute priority for the safety of players, staff, and fans.

Additionally, the league works in conjunction with the NBA Players Association to ensure that all parties are informed and safe in emergency situations.

Support from the sports community

The sports community’s response to the disasters was immediate. Several NBA players and former players took to social media to express solidarity with the victims of the wildfires in Los Angeles and the snowstorm in Atlanta. LeBron James, for example, announced a donation of $500,000 to help relief efforts for wildfire victims.

Other athletes also mobilized to raise funds and support affected communities, showing that sports can be a powerful tool in times of crisis.

The future of the NBA amid climate change

Recent events raise a bigger concern: how can the NBA adapt to climate change? With more frequent snowstorms and wildfires becoming common in California, the league will need to consider new strategies to ensure the continuity of the season.

Possible measures include:

  • Revising schedules to avoid games in high-risk regions during certain times of the year.
  • Creating emergency funds to help communities affected by disasters.
  • Investing in climate monitoring technologies.

Lessons learned and next steps

The main lesson the NBA can take from these events is the need to be prepared for the unexpected. The league has already shown that it can act quickly in emergencies, but there is still room for improvement.

Moreover, the NBA can play an important role in raising awareness about climate change, using its platform to promote sustainable actions and support initiatives to combat the effects of these changes.

Curiosities about the NBA’s relationship with the climate

  1. The first NBA game postponed due to a snowstorm occurred in 1951.
  2. Since 2000, more than 15 NBA games have been postponed due to natural disasters.
  3. The NBA was the first major American sports league to adopt a natural disaster response plan.



The 2024-2025 NBA season has been marked by a series of climatic setbacks that directly impacted the league’s game schedule. With extreme weather events occurring in different regions of the United States, the league had to take swift measures to ensure the safety of players, fans, and staff. In Atlanta, an intense snowstorm forced the postponement of the game between the Houston Rockets and the Atlanta Hawks. Meanwhile, in Los Angeles, wildfires spread across various parts of the city, leading to the postponement of three significant matches. The climatic chaos highlighted the vulnerability of major sporting events to adverse natural conditions.

Last Friday, Atlanta was hit by a winter storm that paralyzed the city. Streets were covered in ice and snow, making conditions dangerous for travel. The NBA, in an official statement, announced that the decision to postpone the game was made in conjunction with local authorities, prioritizing everyone’s safety. This situation brought to light the importance of emergency plans in the face of extreme weather events, which are becoming increasingly frequent in the United States.

Meanwhile, on the West Coast, the wildfires ravaging Los Angeles forced the postponement of three more games. The game between the Los Angeles Lakers and Charlotte Hornets, which was to be held at the Crypto.com Arena, was one of the affected matches. With five active fire fronts, more than 100,000 people were evacuated from the affected areas, including Lakers coach JJ Redick, who lost his home in the flames.

Snowstorm in Atlanta paralyzes the city and impacts the NBA schedule

The winter storm that hit Atlanta is one of the most severe in recent years. Local authorities reported that temperatures dropped drastically to -10°C, with strong winds exacerbating the wind chill. Streets and highways became impassable, and more than 110,000 people were left without power due to snow-induced outages.

The game between the Houston Rockets and the Atlanta Hawks, scheduled for Saturday, was immediately postponed by the NBA. The decision was made after a careful analysis of weather conditions and recommendations from public safety authorities. This was not the first time an NBA game was postponed due to extreme weather, but the severity of the storm in Atlanta caught attention.

The league has not yet announced a new date for the game, but it is expected that the schedule will be adjusted in the coming weeks. The postponement affected not only the players but also fans who had already purchased tickets and planned their attendance at the game.

Climatic impacts in Los Angeles trigger mass evacuations

While Atlanta was dealing with extreme cold, Los Angeles faced one of the worst wildfires in the last decade. The fires began in the Pacific Palisades area and quickly spread to other regions, including Pasadena, Hollywood Hills, and the San Fernando Valley. Strong winds and high temperatures contributed to the rapid spread of the flames, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake.

The wildfires forced the NBA to postpone three games:

  • Los Angeles Lakers vs. Charlotte Hornets
  • Los Angeles Lakers vs. San Antonio Spurs
  • Los Angeles Clippers vs. Charlotte Hornets

More than 80,000 people were forced to leave their homes, and around 100,000 had been evacuated by Saturday. The situation became even more dramatic when Lakers coach JJ Redick had to be evacuated from his residence, which was completely destroyed by the fire.

Consequences for the NBA schedule

The postponements will inevitably impact the NBA schedule. With an already tight season, the league will need to find alternative dates for the postponed games without compromising team performance. Adjustments to travel schedules and reduced rest periods may be necessary, which could affect the teams’ performance throughout the season.

The NBA has faced similar situations in the past, but the combination of snowstorms and wildfires is unprecedented. This raises questions about how the league can better prepare to handle extreme weather events in the future.

History of weather-related events affecting the NBA

Although rare, the postponement of games due to weather conditions is not an isolated occurrence in NBA history. Here are some notable cases:

  1. In 1993, a snowstorm in New York postponed the game between the New York Knicks and Orlando Magic.
  2. In 2014, a snowstorm in Indiana forced the postponement of the match between the Indiana Pacers and Atlanta Hawks.
  3. In 2017, a hurricane in Miami postponed the game between the Miami Heat and Orlando Magic.
  4. In 2020, wildfires in California affected the scheduling of several sporting events, including NBA games.
  5. In 2023, a tropical storm caused the postponement of a game for the New Orleans Pelicans.

These events show that the NBA needs to be prepared for unexpected situations, especially in a scenario of global climate change.

Safety measures adopted by the NBA

The NBA has strict protocols for dealing with emergencies, including natural disasters. Among the measures adopted are:

  • Continuous monitoring of weather conditions in cities hosting games.
  • Constant communication with local and state authorities.
  • Contingency plans for relocating games and adjusting schedules.
  • Absolute priority for the safety of players, staff, and fans.

Additionally, the league works in conjunction with the NBA Players Association to ensure that all parties are informed and safe in emergency situations.

Support from the sports community

The sports community’s response to the disasters was immediate. Several NBA players and former players took to social media to express solidarity with the victims of the wildfires in Los Angeles and the snowstorm in Atlanta. LeBron James, for example, announced a donation of $500,000 to help relief efforts for wildfire victims.

Other athletes also mobilized to raise funds and support affected communities, showing that sports can be a powerful tool in times of crisis.

The future of the NBA amid climate change

Recent events raise a bigger concern: how can the NBA adapt to climate change? With more frequent snowstorms and wildfires becoming common in California, the league will need to consider new strategies to ensure the continuity of the season.

Possible measures include:

  • Revising schedules to avoid games in high-risk regions during certain times of the year.
  • Creating emergency funds to help communities affected by disasters.
  • Investing in climate monitoring technologies.

Lessons learned and next steps

The main lesson the NBA can take from these events is the need to be prepared for the unexpected. The league has already shown that it can act quickly in emergencies, but there is still room for improvement.

Moreover, the NBA can play an important role in raising awareness about climate change, using its platform to promote sustainable actions and support initiatives to combat the effects of these changes.

Curiosities about the NBA’s relationship with the climate

  1. The first NBA game postponed due to a snowstorm occurred in 1951.
  2. Since 2000, more than 15 NBA games have been postponed due to natural disasters.
  3. The NBA was the first major American sports league to adopt a natural disaster response plan.



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