Lakers coach JJ Redick and his young family burned down their home in the Pacific Palisades during the Los Angeles fires.
The NBA has also decided to postpone tonight’s game between the Lakers and Charlotte Hornets.
Redick said Wednesday that his family had already been evacuated from the Pacific Palisades area, explaining, “Our family, my wife’s family, my wife’s twin sister, they have been evacuated. I know a lot of people are panicking right now, including my family.”
It is the second day in a row that a game scheduled to be played in downtown Los Angeles has been postponed. The NHL’s Los Angeles Kings were scheduled to host the Calgary Flames on Wednesday night.
A statement from the NBA said: “The entire NBA family sends its thoughts and support to the Los Angeles community during this challenging time.
“We are grateful for the thousands of local firefighters and first responders who have shown tremendous courage. Our prayers remain with those affected by the unimaginable devastation caused by the bushfires.”
The Lakers added: “We are heartbroken for Los Angeles. Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this unimaginable situation.”
The NBA postpones the Lakers-Charlotte Hornets game due to the ongoing fires in LA
Lakers coach JJ Redick is among the number of people who have lost their LA home
Redick pictured with his wife Chelsea and two sons Knox and Kai in June 2022
A pair of massive wildfires threatening Los Angeles from the east and west were still raging unattended Thursday, two days after they ignited, but firefighters managed to battle another blaze that scorched the Hollywood Hills.
The Palisades Fire between Santa Monica and Malibu on the city’s west flank and the Eaton Fire to the east near Pasadena are already the most destructive in Los Angeles history, destroying nearly 60,000 acres to date and destroying entire neighborhoods have been reduced to ashes.
At least five people have been killed, thousands of buildings have been burned and nearly 180,000 people have been ordered to evacuate their homes, officials said.
Although still heavy, the winds have eased slightly since gusts of 100 miles per hour earlier this week, allowing crucial air support for crews on the ground.
But officials warned that wind gusts of up to 60 miles per hour were expected to continue throughout the day, and Kristin Crowley, chief of the Los Angeles Fire Department, said residents should be prepared to evacuate if ordered to do so.
Los Angeles Clippers star Kawhi Leonard abruptly left the team before Wednesday’s game in Denver for what the team described as personal reasons. Leonard purchased a home in Pacific Palisades in 2021.
‘You should definitely take care of the house. … I had my full support 100%,” Clippers coach Tyronn Lue said.
“He goes back, checks on his family and kids and makes sure they’re okay. And he came back, and they’re doing great, so I’m just happy and grateful for that.”
Nearly 2,000 homes, businesses and other structures have been destroyed by the fires
Fires in the Los Angeles area have killed five people and devastated communities across the city
The Palisades fire has destroyed nearly 60,000 acres and destroyed entire neighborhoods
Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr is not in immediate danger but told reporters that his 90-year-old mother Ann was among those evacuated from the Pacific Palisades.
The NFL is paying close attention to the fires’ potential impact on the preparations of the two Los Angeles playoff teams and the Rams’ wild-card postseason game against the Minnesota Vikings, scheduled for Monday night at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood.
The NFL said Wednesday night that if the game had to be rescheduled, it would take place at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, home of the Arizona Cardinals.
The Rams and Los Angeles Chargers both train in areas not threatened by fires, but both teams monitor air quality and its potential impact on their practices.
The Chargers changed their practice schedule Wednesday to minimize their players’ outdoor time in the coastal city of El Segundo, while the Rams won’t resume practice until Thursday. The Chargers are on the road against the Houston Texans in the wild-card round on Saturday.