NBA Public Relations announced today that the Brooklyn Nets and the New York Knicks will play Thursday, November 1st at 7 P.M., as originally scheduled. The game’s viability was in doubt due to the effects of Hurricane Sandy on New York City. Many subway lines remain down across the city, and there’s a good chance that many who expected to take the train to Atlantic Terminal will end up with severely limited options.
According to the MTA website, the buses will attempt to run on a full schedule as early as tomorrow and will be fare-free. For those looking to drive, there are roughly 600 parking spaces available on event nights at Barclays Center.
UPDATE:
In a news conference Tuesday afternoon, Mayor Michael Bloomberg said that he hoped the game would be played and that he planned to attend. But he noted, pointedly, “It’s going to be tough to get there.”…
A Barclays Center spokesman said the arena came through the storm without any serious damage. The only remaining concern, then, is getting fans to the building. The Nets have two more home games coming up, Saturday (against Toronto) and Monday (against Minnesota)….
The N.B.A. consulted with the Nets and the mayor’s office before making the final call, and Bloomberg’s public statement in favor of the game helped influence the decision. The announcement came late in the day because league officials were awaiting final confirmation from city officials.
Rescheduling the Knicks-Nets game would have been challenging, given national television and arena commitments…
The Nets are already coping with the storm’s aftermath. Their training center in East Rutherford, N.J., lost electricity and was cut off to traffic by flooding and debris, prompting the team to cancel practice Tuesday. The Nets will practice at Barclays Center on Wednesday, and possibly for several more days, depending on how long it takes to restore power at the training center.
Most of the Nets’ players live in New Jersey, which experienced massive flooding and power failures. Two Nets — Josh Childress and Mirza Teletovic — had their homes flooded in Weehawken, forcing them to make alternate living arrangements. Two others — Reggie Evans and C. J. Watson — were without electricity. Tyshawn Taylor’s apartment in Hoboken was surrounded by water.
Most of the team planned to spend Tuesday night in Brooklyn hotels, to simplify their commute to practice on Wednesday.The Knicks’ training center in Westchester County was unaffected by the storm, and the team practiced there late Tuesday afternoon. Most of their players live close to the facility. Marcus Camby was the only one who could not make it, because of fallen trees in his neighborhood.
