The NBA has postponed Sunday's games between the Denver Nuggets and Memphis Grizzlies, and the Dallas Mavericks and Milwaukee Bucks, due to a massive winter storm creating hazardous travel conditions across the United States. Both decisions were made hours before tipoff as snow, sleet, and ice disrupted flights and roads. Rescheduled dates have not been announced.
Winter Storm Fern swept through much of the U.S. on January 25, 2026, forcing the NBA to postpone two key matchups. The Denver Nuggets' game at the Memphis Grizzlies, originally set for 3:30 p.m. ET, was called off less than three hours before tipoff. Both teams and officials had arrived in Memphis, but a mix of snow, sleet, and freezing rain that began early Saturday continued into Sunday, leading to up to three inches of snow and below-freezing temperatures. The Memphis Police Department urged residents to avoid roads unless necessary, citing refreezing and widespread power outages south and east of the city.
Similarly, the Dallas Mavericks' flight to Milwaukee for their 7 p.m. ET contest against the Milwaukee Bucks was grounded by icy conditions in Dallas. The team was stuck on the tarmac for over four hours after attempting to depart late Saturday following a 116-110 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. The game, briefly delayed to 8 p.m. ET, was ultimately postponed. Prepared food for the Bucks' home game was donated to local shelters.
The Nuggets, who defeated the Bucks 102-100 on Friday, planned to depart Memphis International Airport later Sunday, weather permitting, ahead of their Tuesday home game against the Detroit Pistons. Star center Nikola Jokic has missed 14 straight games, yet Denver holds a 31-15 record, third in the Western Conference. The Grizzlies, coming off a 133-127 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday, sit at 18-25, 11th in the West, without guard Ja Morant for at least three weeks due to an elbow sprain. They are now scheduled for a two-day rest before facing the Houston Rockets on Monday.
The league also adjusted Monday's schedule: the Indiana Pacers at Atlanta Hawks tips off at 1:30 p.m. ET instead of 7:30 p.m., and the Philadelphia 76ers at Charlotte Hornets at 3 p.m. ET rather than 7 p.m. Saturday's Washington Wizards-Charlotte Hornets game was moved up six hours to noon ET. Separately, the NBA postponed Saturday's Golden State Warriors-Minnesota Timberwolves game to prioritize safety after a fatal shooting near the Timberwolves' arena.
The storm's reach extended to college basketball, postponing games like No. 17 Tennessee at No. 18 Mississippi (women's) on Monday and Tulane at Memphis (women's) on Tuesday, with reschedules pending.
