Icy roads and blizzard conditions slammed Memphis, forcing the NBA to pull the plug on the Grizzlies–Nuggets game hours before tipoff.
A powerful winter storm sweeping through the Mid-South forced the NBA to postpone Saturday night’s matchup in Memphis just hours before tipoff.
The game between the Memphis Grizzlies and the Denver Nuggets, scheduled for Jan. 25, was officially postponed because of dangerous travel conditions caused by snow and ice across the region.
The league announced the decision less than three hours before the game was set to begin, as conditions continued to deteriorate throughout the Memphis area. Accumulating snow and freezing temperatures created hazardous roads, complicating travel for teams, arena staff and fans.
According to the NBA, a rescheduled date will be announced at a later time. The Grizzlies said tickets purchased for Saturday’s game will be honored when the contest is replayed, providing reassurance for fans affected by the late change.
The postponement followed warnings from the Memphis Police Department, which urged residents to limit travel unless absolutely necessary as conditions worsened throughout the day.
In a public advisory, the department emphasized the risks associated with the storm.
“If you must drive, take your time, stay alert, check official websites for reported trouble areas, and avoid them,” the department said in a social media post.
Saturday’s NBA postponement was part of a broader disruption to sports schedules across the Memphis area as the winter storm tightened its grip. Multiple collegiate programs adjusted plans in response to the forecast, prioritizing safety amid widespread travel concerns.
Memphis women’s basketball altered its schedule earlier in the week, moving a game against UTSA from Jan. 24 to Jan. 23 in an effort to avoid the worst of the storm. The program later postponed another game that had been scheduled for Jan. 27 as conditions failed to improve.
The effects were also felt on the men’s side. Memphis men’s basketball played in Wichita on Jan. 24 but was unable to return home following the game because of travel issues. The Tigers now remain off until Jan. 29, when they are scheduled to host FAU at FedExForum, assuming conditions allow.
For the Grizzlies, the postponement compresses an already demanding stretch of the schedule. Memphis is still slated to play on the road against the Houston Rockets on Jan. 26 before returning home to face the Charlotte Hornets on Jan. 28. Whether additional adjustments become necessary remains dependent on how quickly the region recovers from the storm.
Winter weather has increasingly challenged sports schedules across the country this season, and Saturday’s decision underscored the league’s emphasis on safety amid unpredictable conditions. With roads iced over and travel warnings in effect, the NBA opted for caution, joining a growing list of organizations forced to adapt as the storm continues to impact daily life across the Mid-South.