SUMMARY
This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.
MEXICO CITY – The NBA cancelled a regular season game in Mexico City between the San Antonio Spurs and Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday (Thursday, December 5 Manila time) after smoke from a generator malfunction engulfed the arena, forcing players to evacuate.
Players abandoned their warm-up and exited the 22,000-capacity Arena Ciudad de Mexico about an hour before tip-off as smoke entered the facility, an AFP photographer said.
The game, which would have given Mexicans a rare chance to see big-name NBA players such as Spurs guard and regional star Manu Ginobili of Argentina, will now take place in Minnesota, the NBA said.
“The date for the rescheduled game, which will be played at Target Center in Minneapolis, will be announced at a later time,” the National Basketball Association said in a statement.
Tonight’s @Spurs/@MNTimberwolves game has been postponed due to a generator malfunction which produced smoke inside Mexico City Arena. 1/2
— NBA (@NBA) December 5, 2013
The date for the rescheduled game, which will be played at Target Center in Minneapolis, will be announced at a later time. 2/2
— NBA (@NBA) December 5, 2013
It would have been just the second NBA regular season game in Mexico after the Dallas Mavericks played the Houston Rockets there in 1997.
Arena spokeswoman Flor Lopez had said that the game would still take place as the smoke was clearing up.
The official Twitter account of the San Antonio Spurs shared a photo of the court engulfed in smoke.
Mexico City Arena filled with smoke from possible electrical fire. pic.twitter.com/xYZnkGoNcQ
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) December 5, 2013
The city’s civil protection chief, Fausto Lugo, wrote on Twitter that the issue was under control.
The NBA also initially posted on their official Twitter account that the game would only be delayed.
NBA Statement: The start of tonight’s NBA game in Mexico City between the @MNTimberwolves and the @Spurs has been delayed (1/2)
— NBA (@NBA) December 5, 2013
….due to a generator malfunction which has produced smoke inside the Mexico City Arena. Updates will be provided as appropriate. (2/2)
— NBA (@NBA) December 5, 2013
But the problem appears to have been too serious for players to take the court.
The $300 million arena opened in February 2012 and its website boasts that it is the “most important, comfortable, modern and safe facility” in Latin America.-with reports from Jane Bracher/Rappler.com
Add a comment
How does this make you feel?
There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation.