Rockets vs. Hawks Postponed by NBA amid Severe Winter Weather in Atlanta
Mike Chiari@@mikechiariFeatured Columnist IVJanuary 11, 2025
Adam Hagy/NBAE via Getty Images
The NBA announced that Saturday’s scheduled game between the Houston Rockets and Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena in Atlanta has been postponed.
NBA Communications @NBAPRThe following has been released by the NBA. pic.twitter.com/lZDHta1JOV
In a statement, the league cited “severe weather and hazardous icy conditions in the Atlanta area.”
Per Fox Weather, a winter storm hit the southeastern United States this week, impacting 25 states with cold, snowy and icy weather.
Two to six inches of snow were reported in downtown Atlanta on Friday amid a state of emergency declared by Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp. There are also a reported 100,000 Georgians without power.
In addition to Rockets vs. Hawks, two other NBA games scheduled for Saturday were also postponed.
Those postponements were related to the raging wildfires in the Los Angeles area, as both the Charlotte Hornets vs. Los Angeles Clippers and San Antonio Spurs vs. Los Angeles Lakers games will be played at a later date.
A game between the Hornets and Lakers scheduled for Thursday was also postponed.
At 25-12, the Rockets have the second-best record in the Western Conference this season, so they were poised to be favored on the road against the 19-19 Hawks.
After three consecutive seasons with 22 or fewer wins, the Rockets took a huge leap forward last season, going 41-41. They have taken another big step this season, as they appear to be playoff bound for the first time since 2020.
The young core of Jalen Green, Alperen Şengün and Amen Thompson has led the way to Houston this season, while veterans Fred VanVleet have provided much-needed production and leadership as well.
On the heels of three straight playoff appearance, the Hawks missed the postseason with a 36-46 record in 2023-24, but they are back in the thick of the playoff hunt this season, as they are currently ninth in the Eastern Conference.
Atlanta has been a streaky team this season with a six-game and four-game winning streak, as well as a four-game losing streak and three three-game losing streaks.
As is usually the case, Trae Young has been the Hawk’s standout as their leading scorer and the NBA assists leader, but Jalen Johnson has also emerged as a potential All-Star, averaging 19.8 points and 10.1 rebounds per game.
The NBA has yet to announce when the Rockets vs. Hawks game will be made up, but Houston is next scheduled to host the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday, while Atlanta is supposed to host the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday.
