Start of Pacers-Heat game delayed by lighting malfunction

Indiana Pacers forward Paul George in the second half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Dec. 11, 2015. (R Brent Smith/AP)

MIAMI — The start of Monday’s Indiana-Miami game was delayed 27 minutes after lights malfunctioned in the arena following the introduction of the Heat starting lineups.

The arena was darkened as usual for the playing of Miami’s pregame video and introduction of the Heat starters. A malfunction kept the lights from coming back on as usual, just as both teams were ready to play.

After a few minutes of milling around and waiting, players were allowed back on the court to continue warming up — albeit with the arena mostly darkened. The teams were sent back to their locker rooms at 7:53 p.m., and summoned back about seven minutes later when the lights were back on fully.

Players then got an additional five-minute warmup period, and the game tipped off at 8:07 p.m.

Whatever the malfunction was only kept the lights over the court from working. All other arena functions, such as the scoreboards, sound systems and air conditioning were not affected.

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