Winter weather forces NBA reschedule: Pacers–Hawks tip moved up hours on Jan. 26

NBA changes game time amid travel concerns

The NBA adjusted the schedule for the Indiana Pacers at Atlanta Hawks game on Monday, January 26, moving the tip time to earlier in the day as severe winter conditions disrupted travel across multiple regions. The shift reflects a broader push by leagues to minimize the chance that teams, officials and broadcast crews get stranded as flight cancellations and road conditions worsen.

For fans, the last-minute timing change can create logistical problems, especially for those who planned to attend an evening contest. However, league officials and teams increasingly prefer earlier starts during storm events because they can provide more buffer for arrivals, security staffing, and postgame travel plans.

How to watch and what it signals

Broadcasters and regional networks adjusted coverage to match the new start time, and streaming options remained available for viewers who could not attend in person. The move also serves as a reminder that storm systems can have league-wide consequences, affecting back-to-backs, flight-dependent road trips, and the broader cadence of the schedule.

More weather-driven changes could follow

With the winter storm impacting airports and highways, teams across several sports may face altered travel itineraries, earlier departures, or contingency planning for subsequent games. If conditions persist, additional time changes or postponements can be expected, particularly for teams scheduled to cross heavily affected corridors.

For now, the Pacers–Hawks shift is a targeted adjustment designed to keep the game on the calendar while reducing risk in a week already shaped by weather-related disruption.