January 26, 2026 — United States — A powerful winter storm sweeping parts of the eastern United States disrupted the NBA schedule Monday, prompting a game time change in Philadelphia, while on the court, Indiana endured a costly late collapse in Atlanta.
Hornets–76ers game time moved
The NBA announced that Monday’s game between the Charlotte Hornets and the Philadelphia 76ers in Philadelphia was moved to a 3 p.m. local tipoff due to expected severe winter weather.
The decision was made to allow teams, staff, and fans to travel more safely as snow and ice conditions were forecast to worsen later in the day. The game remained at the same venue, with only the start time adjusted.
Both teams were informed of the change in advance, and arena operations were adjusted accordingly.
Weather concerns drive scheduling decision
The schedule adjustment followed forecasts calling for significant snowfall and hazardous road conditions in the Philadelphia region. League officials said the earlier start time was intended to reduce travel risks for fans and arena personnel and avoid complications later in the evening.
No other changes to the Hornets’ or 76ers’ immediate schedules were announced at the time.
Pacers collapse late against Hawks
While weather reshaped the schedule in Philadelphia, action continued elsewhere. The Indiana Pacers suffered a late collapse in their road game against the Atlanta Hawks, being outscored by 30 points over the final 18 minutes after holding a competitive position earlier in the contest.
Indiana’s offense stalled in the closing stretch as Atlanta surged, turning a close game into a decisive Hawks victory. The Pacers struggled to contain Atlanta’s momentum down the stretch, allowing the game to slip away late.
Impact on teams
For Charlotte and Philadelphia, the focus remained on adapting to altered logistics caused by weather conditions. For Indiana, the loss highlighted ongoing concerns about closing out games, particularly in hostile road environments.
With winter weather continuing to affect travel across several states, league officials indicated that additional adjustments could be made if conditions worsen.
More updates are expected as teams continue to navigate both on court competition and off court challenges tied to the storm.
