The NBA announced that Saturday home games for both the Los Angeles Lakers and the Los Angeles Clippers have been postponed amid the wildfires raging in Southern California.
The Lakers were scheduled to host the San Antonio Spurs, while the Clippers were scheduled to host the Charlotte Hornets.
The league has not yet announced make-up dates for the two games, and the league did not reveal whether more games will be affected by the fires, as both teams have home games scheduled for Monday and Wednesday and the Lakers have another game in home on Friday. The two teams are also supposed to play each other in Inglewood, California, on Jan. 19, when the Clippers will host.
CLIPPERS’ KAWHI LEONARD LEAVES TEAM TO HELP FAMILY DEAL WITH LINING FIRES: REPORT
Los Angeles Lakers coach JJ Redick recounts how he and his family lost their home in the deadly Pacific Palisades wildfire during an NBA basketball news conference at the UCLA Health Training Center in El Segundo, California, on Friday, January 10, 2025. (AP)
“The NBA and the Clippers and Lakers organizations have been in communication with local officials in Los Angeles and Inglewood regarding the current situation in the Los Angeles area and the game postponements ensure that no resources will be diverted from fire response efforts. forestry,” the league said. in a statement.
Some members of both teams are dealing directly with the impacts of the wildfires, including Lakers coach JJ Redick, whose family rental home in Pacific Palisades burned Tuesday night, destroying many of his belongings.
“I wasn’t prepared for what I saw,” Redick told reporters. “It’s complete devastation and destruction. I had to go another way to the house, but I went through most of the town and everything was gone. I don’t think you can prepare for something like that. Our house is gone.”
‘I WAS NOT PREPARED FOR WHAT I SAW’: LAKERS COACH JJ REDDICK DETAILS THE DEVASTATION OF THE PALISADES FIRE
Los Angeles Lakers NBA basketball head coach JJ Redick, right, is hugged by guard Austin Reaves, left, before speaking to the media about the Pacific Palisades wildfire at a conference press in El Segundo, California, on Friday, January 10, 2025. (AP)
The NBA and the National Basketball Players Association, which is the players’ union, announced Friday a $1 million donation for immediate relief to the American Red Cross, World Central Kitchen and other organizations working to provide assistance to victims and recovery efforts.
The donation was intended to “support those affected by this disaster,” the league said, adding that it is “working with the Lakers and Clippers on ways to support long-term assistance and rebuilding efforts.”
The Lakers also postponed a game previously scheduled for Thursday against the Hornets, but it has not yet been rescheduled.
Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard watches during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Atlanta Hawks, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Jayne-Kamin-Oncea)
The Lakers are scheduled to host the Spurs again on Monday, when the Clippers will host the Miami Heat. On Wednesday, the Lakers will host the Heat and the Clippers will host the Brooklyn Nets. The Lakers will also host the Nets on Friday.
The Clippers said they anticipate games beginning Monday will be played as scheduled.
“The health and safety of our community and our fans remains our top priority,” the team said.
