Heat-Bulls game postponed due to unplayable slick court at United Center

Ira Winderman, South Florida Sun Sentinel on Jan 8, 2026

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CHICAGO — Thursday night’s game between the Miami Heat and Chicago Bulls was postponed nearly two hours after the scheduled tipoff, after an extended delay due to 50-degree temperatures, heavy rain and the ice below the court at the United Center that left the playing surface too slick for play.

A makeup date was not immediately announced. This was to be the Heat’s final visit of the season.

The game, scheduled for an 8 p.m. Eastern start, featured the typical pregame warmup scheduling. But as players went through warmups, several players identified slick spots due to condensation.

A decision initially was made to attempt to lower the temperature inside the arena, with players initially remaining on the court for extended pregame shooting.

When it became clear that the delay would exceed an hour, the teams retreated to their locker rooms.

All the while, staff attempted to dry the court with towels and brooms, with the slick spots remaining.

Prior to the delay, with the injury-limited Bulls lacking somewhat in size, the Heat submitted a smaller lineup that got Tyler Herro back in the starting mix, after he played off the bench in Tuesday night’s return in Minnesota.

That had coach Erik Spoelstra submitting an opening lineup of Herro, Bam Adebayo, Norman Powell, Andrew Wiggins and Davion Mitchell, a group that entered 2-2 as a starting unit.

The move had Kel’el Ware back as a reserve for the first time in 13 games, since he played as a reserve in the Dec. 15 home loss to the Toronto Raptors.

Now that approach remains on hold.

Before the game, Spoelstra also addressed the dismissal of Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel.

"I feel for Mike and his family," Spoelstra said. "I’m a fan of his. I really enjoyed our interactions together. Just a really sharp, bright and creative mind. I learned a lot from those interactions. It’s a tough business. So, it’s a tough day for him. But he’s a talent, so he’ll find his way back, somewhere with some organization. And I wish him the best.”