Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick is one of thousands in Los Angeles whose home did not survive the wildfires that ravaged the area this week.
Redick was in Dallas for a game when he learned about the fires and that his family had been evacuated.
Speaking to the media on Friday, a day after a Lakers game at Crypto.com Arena was postponed, he talked about his experience returning to the Palisades and what he saw.
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Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick watches game action against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the first half at Crypto.com Arena. (Gary A. Vásquez/Imagn Images)
“I’m fine. My wife left very early. In fact, she was on the other side and she came out, she saw the fire, she was with some people and they were heading to the airport… She picked up the kids from school. They’re safe, all that mattered,” he said.
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“I went to the hotel, woke up at 7 and headed to the Palisades. I had to see it for myself. I wasn’t prepared for what I saw. It’s complete devastation and destruction. I had to go a different way home, but” I passed through most of the town and everything disappeared. “I don’t think you can prepare for something like that.”
Fire crews battle the Kenneth Fire in the West Hills section of Los Angeles on Thursday, January 9, 2025. (Ethan Swope/AP)
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Redick’s home was destroyed Thursday.
“We were renting for a year to try to figure out where to be long-term, and everything we owned that was important to us (almost 20 years of being together and 10 years of being parents) was in that house,” he said excitedly. Redick said. “There are certain things that cannot be replaced. They will never be replaced.
“Material things are whatever. My family and I are processing the personal side, the individual side of losing your home. You never want to wish that on anyone. It’s a horrible feeling to lose your home… I’m not sure I ever cried.” or moan like that in several years.
Aircraft help fight fires over Pacific Palisades on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025. (Sandy Hooper/Imagn)
Monday night’s Vikings-Rams NFL playoff game was moved from Inglewood to Arizona due to fires that have claimed at least 10 lives, destroyed more than 10,000 buildings and burned approximately 30,000 acres.
