The Chicago Bulls and Miami Heat were ready to tip off at the United Center—until the court itself became the problem. Excess condensation caused by Chicago’s humid weather made the floor unsafe, forcing officials to delay the game as crews worked to restore playable conditions.

Among the thousands of fans who had already filled the arena was WNBA superstar A’ja Wilson, seated courtside to support her boyfriend, though even she had to wait as the unusual delay unfolded.

The game was scheduled to begin at 7 PM CST / 8 PM EST. But there was a 40-minute delay at first. Officials initially announced the game would begin at 8 PM local time. As of this writing, a second update from the United Center confirmed the game is delayed by another 20 minutes. The players have also returned to the locker room.

Officials postponed the game after about two hours, citing unplayable court conditions from moisture linked to warm temperatures (50s°F), rain, and a prior Blackhawks hockey game.

Chi-town is currently gripped with rain and humidity conditions lately. Temperatures in Chicago are in the mid-50s this week, including on Thursday night. The humidity inside the United Center was as high as 60%.

As the Chicago Blackhawks share the arena, they maintain the indoor humidity typically at 30%. However, the ice rink under the floorboards was melting along the edges of the floor.

Players were initially shooting, dribbling and warming up on the sidelines while maintenance personnel pushed large mops across the hardwood. They have since left for the locker room and wait for the court conditions to improve.

In the meantime, we’re getting neat updates about the reigning WNBA champ in the building.

A’ja Wilson lights up United Center

Miami may have literally brought the ‘heat’ to Chicago tonight. Tyler Herro is back in the lineup tonight. But even he’s so bored with the delay that he was seen goofing around with Benny the Bull. But the real scene-stealer was reigning WNBA MVP and champion, A’ja Wilson.

A little rain, humidity, and stalled CBA talks weren’t going to stop Wilson from watching her boyfriend play tonight. Bam Adebayo, who was suffering from lower back soreness, was listed as available with Tyler Herro, Nikola Jović, Pelle Larsson, and Norman Powell for the Heat tonight against the Bulls.

At one point, Adebayo was squeezed cosily next to her courtside. It turned into an impromptu sideline date for them, which the announcers loved eavesdropping on.

When the players were inside the locker room, Benny the Bull brought A’ja to the floor to have some fun. While personnel were squeezing towels of water over buckets, Wilson hung out with an Aces fan.

Top Stories

Timberwolves Pay Heartfelt Tribute to Renee Nicole Good After Tragic Death at 37

Steve Kerr Issues Final Verdict On Draymond Green’s Warriors Future Amid Trade Rumors

WNBPA Asserts Control Over Player Infrastructure Amid Ongoing CBA Uncertainty

WNBPA VP Breanna Stewart Takes CBA Extension off the Table As Deadline Looms

Sabrina Ionescu Speaks Out After Unrivaled Confirms 2026 Absence

They knew to expect her because the fans in the Aces #22 jersey were plenty. She also handed out Benny merch to an Aces fan.

Wilson also arrived with a massive camera with a telescopic lens. She likely was hoping for some great shots, but that’s going to have to wait.

The Heat have been in Chicago since Wednesday morning. They were scheduled to fly out Friday afternoon to Indianapolis for Saturday’s game against the Pacers. It’s going to be a tight schedule for the Bulls, meanwhile, as the Blackhawks are hosting the Washington Capitals on Friday.