A smoke machine at Delta Center malfunctioned during the Utah Jazz’s home game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, briefly interrupting play and turning the second quarter into an unintended spectacle.
The unit above the Thunder basket began emitting fog during live action, first slowly and then at full blast, forcing a stoppage as arena staff worked to diagnose the issue. The mishap became the night’s defining moment in a game the Thunder ultimately won in a blowout.
The smoke machine activated mid-possession in the first half, producing fog behind the Thunder’s hoop and escalating to “full celebration mode” for several minutes. Officials halted play while staff attempted to shut down the device and restore normal conditions.
This smoke machine being broken is the funniest thing to happen at an NBA game in a very long time. pic.twitter.com/DwiGM5CUaq
— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) December 8, 2025
The bizarre incident occurred amid a rough night for the Jazz, who were overwhelmed by Oklahoma City and fell by a large margin. There was a series of oddities that compounded the home team’s struggles, including a broken game clock at one point, adding to the sense that the building itself was having a night to forget. The interruption did not derail the Thunder’s momentum, and they continued to cruise despite star guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander being sidelined.
Malfunctioning smoke machines stopping the game, scoreboard resetting… this is a representation of the Jazz season pic.twitter.com/O7IZ3JvKFm
— UtahHCYo (@UtahHCYo) December 8, 2025
Chet Holmgren setting off the smoke machine on the Jazz’s basket with a massive dunk. pic.twitter.com/f9ZvceuUdh
— Michael Martin (@MichaelOnSports) December 8, 2025
