The National Basketball Association (NBA) has officially announced that 11th January, Saturday’s game between the Houston Rockets and Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena in Atlanta has been postponed. The league cited "severe weather and hazardous icy conditions" in the Atlanta area as the primary reason for the postponement.
Winter storm causes widespread disruptions
According to Fox Weather, a powerful winter storm swept through the southeastern United States this week, affecting 25 states with freezing temperatures, snow, and ice. Downtown Atlanta experienced two to six inches of snow on Friday, and a state of emergency was declared by Georgia Governor Brian Kemp. Reports also indicate that approximately 100,000 people in Georgia were left without power due to the extreme weather.
Additional NBA postponements due to wildfires and weather
The postponement of the Rockets vs. Hawks game is part of a larger trend, as two other NBA games scheduled for Saturday have also been rescheduled.
These additional postponements are related to wildfires in the Los Angeles area, impacting the Charlotte Hornets vs. Los Angeles Clippers and San Antonio Spurs vs. Los Angeles Lakers matchups, both of which will be played at a later date. The Hornets vs. Lakers game, originally scheduled for Thursday, was also affected.
Rockets' strong season and playoff hopes
With a 25-12 record, the Houston Rockets have the second-best record in the Western Conference this season, making them a strong contender on the road against the 19-19 Atlanta Hawks. After struggling for three consecutive seasons with fewer than 22 wins, the Rockets made significant progress last year, finishing 41-41.
This season, they are looking poised for a return to the playoffs for the first time since 2020. The young core of Jalen Green, Alperen Sengun, and Amen Thompson has been instrumental in the team's success, while veteran Fred VanVleet has provided key leadership and consistency.
Atlanta Hawks: A streaky team with playoff aspirations
The Atlanta Hawks, after missing the postseason last year with a 36-46 record, are currently in the playoff hunt, sitting in ninth place in the Eastern Conference. Atlanta has shown inconsistency this season, with notable streaks including a six-game winning streak and a four-game losing streak.
As expected, Trae Young has been the team’s star player, leading both in scoring and assists, while Jalen Johnson has emerged as a potential All-Star, averaging 19.8 points and 10.1 rebounds per game.
The NBA has not yet revealed when the postponed Rockets vs. Hawks game will be rescheduled. Houston is next slated to host the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday, while Atlanta is scheduled to host the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday.