Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball during an NBA game.
The NBA is making a rare in-week schedule tweak in Charlotte because of Winter Storm 2026.
The league announced that the Washington Wizards at Charlotte Hornets game on Saturday, Jan. 24 will now tip off at noon ET due to impending weather, moving the start time earlier to get the game in ahead of potential weekend impacts in the Carolinas.
The change comes with the National Weather Service posting a Winter Storm Watch for the Charlotte areabeginning Saturday morning and running into Monday afternoon, with forecasters warning that a mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain could create hazardous travel conditions.
NBA Communications
SCHEDULE UPDATE: The Washington Wizards at Charlotte Hornets game on Saturday, Jan. 24 will now tip off at noon ET due to impending weather.
Why the NBA moved the game earlier
The NBA didn’t announce a postponement; it chose a time change. That’s often the first move leagues make when a winter system is expected to complicate travel later in the day or evening.
In Charlotte, the Winter Storm Watch window starts 7 a.m. Saturday and stretches through 1 p.m. Monday, and the NWS hazard messaging notes heavy mixed precipitation is possible.The City of Charlotte also issued a public “what to know” advisory urging residents to stay alert and prioritize safety as the system approaches.
Local outlets have been emphasizing the risk of icy conditions in the region, which can be especially disruptive in the Carolinas when temperatures hover near freezing and precipitation type changes quickly.
The broader storm is expected to cause major travel disruption across the U.S. this weekend, with airlines issuing travel waivers and preparing for widespread delays and cancellations.
What the forecast timeline means for fans headed to Spectrum Center
A midday tip won’t remove weather risk entirely, but it can help. Some forecasts across North Carolina have suggested precipitation may begin later Saturday and continue into Sunday, with lingering impacts possible as temperatures stay cold enough for slick roads to hang around.
If you’re going to the game, the practical advice is pretty simple:
Plan to arrive earlier than you would for a night game (doors, traffic patterns, and parking timing can feel different for noon tips).
Build in extra travel time and check road conditions before you leave.
Keep an eye on team/venue updates in case entry times or parking guidance changes.
How to watch Wizards vs. Hornets
When: Saturday, Jan. 24, Noon ET Where: Spectrum Center (Charlotte)
TV/Streaming (Hornets market): Hornets broadcasts are carried across the region on FanDuel Sports Network, with select games also available via over-the-air partners like WSOC-TV Channel 9 and TV 64 (availability can vary by game, so check local listings).
TV/Streaming (Wizards market): Wizards games are shown on Monumental Sports Network (MNMT), with streaming options through the network’s digital platforms.
Out of market: As with most locally televised NBA games, NBA League Pass is typically the go-to option outside the teams’ home territories (subject to blackout rules).
Key Stats, Schedule and Context
On the basketball side, the story is still about the Hornets hosting the Wizards; just on an earlier clock than expected.
Charlotte enters the matchup with the stronger record at home, while Washington has struggled on the road this season. LaMelo Ball continues to dazzle in his sixth season in the league. He holds averages of 19.4 points, 7.6 assists, and five rebounds per game. Leading the Hornets this season is standout wing Brandon Miller and his 20 points per game. Rookie of the Year Candidate Kon Knueppel is also off to a hot start, with 19.1 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game, on 48% shooting from the field and a staggering 43% mark from the three-point line.
The Wizards are currently led by veteran scorer CJ McCollum and his 18.8 points, 3.6 assists and 3.5 rebounds per game.
The headline, though, is the schedule: Wizards at Hornets is now a noon ET tip, and the move is tied directly to the weather outlook in Charlotte.