The NBA has canceled the preseason game between the Orlando Magic and the New Orleans Pelicans due to the impacts of Hurricane Milton on Florida. The match, which was supposed to happen on Friday in Orlando, will not be rescheduled due to safety concerns brought about by the hurricane’s destructive path, which includes wind gusts exceeding 100 mph. Orlando Magic coach, Jamahl Mosley, emphasized the importance of keeping safety at the forefront in these situations, due to the potential dangers and uncertainties that could arise from such powerful storms.
Tropicana Field, the home of the Tampa Bay Rays, reportedly experienced significant damage due to the storm. The domed roof of the building was seen in televised images to be excessively torn apart, although it was not immediately clear if there was any damage inside the stadium itself. While the stadium was not used as a shelter during the storm, it was utilized as a staging area for workers aiding in the recovery and cleanup efforts in the aftermath of the hurricane.
This is not the first disruption that Hurricane Milton has caused in the sporting world. An NBA preseason game between the Miami Heat and Atlanta Hawks, set for Thursday, had also been postponed due to potential storm risks. Additionally, an NHL preseason game in Tampa between the Lightning and the Predators, initially scheduled for last month, had to be postponed and rescheduled due to the effects of Hurricane Helene.
Despite the chaotic situation, some sporting events in Florida are still scheduled to proceed. “Gold Over America Tour”, a gymnastics exhibition featuring Olympic gymnasts including Simone Biles, will reportedly proceed as planned over the weekend. They are slated to showcase in Sunrise, the home of the Florida Panthers, and Orlando. Former Tampa Bay star, Steven Stamkos, who now plays for Nashville, sent out a supportive message urging people in the area to stay safe amidst the weather turmoil.
The horse racing event at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida, which is north of Miami, has also committed to resuming its live racing activities this coming Friday. Saturday’s college football game featuring Cincinnati against UCF in Orlando remains to be on schedule as well, with the Memphis-South Florida match also due to be played on Saturday.
Officials from both UCF and USF stated that additional decisions regarding these events will be determined after the storm damage on their locales has been properly assessed. The full impact of Hurricane Milton on Florida continues to unfold, causing uncertainty in the communities affected, including the sporting world. Amid the stormy chaos, local sports teams and their fans come together with hope and resiliency.
