Minnesota Timberwolves Game In Mexico City, Mexico Postponed Due To Smoke

The game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the San Antonio Spurs was postponed Wednesday night because of smoky conditions inside the Mexico City arena. The game will be made up in Minnesota at a later date.

Dec 1, 2013; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves point guard Ricky Rubio (9) handles the ball against Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook (0) during the second quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports

The arena was evacuated about 45 minutes before the scheduled 9:30 p.m. EST tipoff when a generator malfunction outside the arena and sent smoke pouring into the building, according to NBA spokeswoman Sharon Lima.

While the teams were warming up for their regular-season matchup, lights went out in parts of the arena and smoke began coming out of vents in the upper deck. The court quickly became cloudy.

A statement by the NBA read as follows,

“The start of tonight’s game in Mexico City between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the San Antonio Spurs has been delayed due to a generator malfunction which has produced smoke inside the Mexico City Arena. Updates will be provided as appropriate.”

Fans had not yet been allowed into the arena and about 15 minutes after the scheduled start, the Spurs bus pulled away from the building and the Timberwolves bus followed soon after.

Both teams were scheduled to leave Mexico right after the game and they are both off until Saturday.