On Wednesday night, a leaky roof at the Smoothie King Center forced a game between the New Orleans Pelicans and the visiting Indiana Pacers to be postponed.
The game was scheduled to begin at 8:00 p.m., but was initially delayed because of the leak. While arena officials sought to dry the court and attempted to make a catch basin in the rafters to keep the water from reaching the floor, the game was ultimately unable to be played. Both Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry and Pacers coach Nate McMillan were uncomfortable with the conditions, and it was announced around 9:45 p.m. that the game would be postponed. More from The Indianapolis Star:
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.”
“The New Orleans Pelicans announced that tonight’s game against the Indiana Pacers has been postponed by the NBA due to a leak in the roof at the Smoothie King Center,” the Pelicans said in a statement. “SMG officials worked diligently to address the matter, but the NBA determined to postpone the game out of an abundance of caution for players’ safety.”
The game is expected to be rescheduled, with the makeup date announced at a later time.
