Indiana Pacers Nate McMillan says it was too risky for the players to take the court in New Orleans. Clifton Brown/IndyStar
NEW ORLEANS – Sports have rain cancellations.
But NBA games?
The Smoothie King Center roof in New Orleans was leaking Wednesday night and forced the postponement of the Indiana Pacers game against the Pelicans. Tipoff was scheduled for 8 p.m, but players still weren't on the court by 9:30, as stadium officials worked to dry the court.
At close to 9:45, an official announcement was made that the game would not be played.
There was no immediate word on when the game would be rescheduled.
“You want to get this game going, but a real risk to the players with that floor being wet like that," Pacers coach Nate McMillan said. "Not a chance you want to take.
“They told us right before warmups that there was going to be a delay, that the roof was leaking and that they were going to try and fix that problem. They didn’t want the teams coming out until further notice. We knew right after our (pregame) meeting that there was going to be a delay.”
Alan Freeman, general manager of the Smoothie King Center, said he noticed the leak at about 7:20 p.m. Arena workers tried to create a catch basin in the rafters to prevent the leaking water from falling onto the court.
At one point, an announcement was made there was going to be a game, and that the teams would warmup shortly. But neither McMillan nor Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry were comfortable with that.
“Both coaches went out and looked at the floor, looked at the conditions, and didn’t want to take a chance, “ said McMillan. “With the possibility of a leak happening in a 2 ½ hour game, in an area where there was going to be a lot of action, right around the free-throw line. They got the GMs, and I’m sure they got the owners involved. The conditions were not ready for these guys to play.”
McMillan said he was given no indication when the game would be rescheduled.
“The guys didn’t want to play this game under those conditions,” McMillan said. “I though the first 30 minutes, guys were thinking we were going to play. After that 30 minutes, 45 minutes into it, you started hearing there was a good chance it was going to be cancelled. Then guys lost focus. We would’ve probably been a mess if we had gone out there anyway.
“All it takes is one spot for a player to slip on. Mentally, guys really wouldn’t have been able to go out there and play, knowing that situation.”
Pacers guard Joe Young said players tried to keep loose by stretching, but the longer the delay lasted, the more they realized the game was in jeopardy.
“You always got to be ready, adapt to all decision, but I think coach make the right decision with us not going,” said Young. “It’s been what, an hour? Once it’s an hour, you start to lose focus a little bit."
Meanwhile, there was a King Cake Baby breakout.
Pierre the Pelican is prepared:
And throw in a Speedway joke:
More about the roof: