Amid the devastating wildfires sweeping across Southern California, the NBA has postponed Saturday's home games for both Los Angeles teams, the Lakers and the Clippers. The Lakers were slated to face the San Antonio Spurs, while the Clippers were set to host the Charlotte Hornets. The league hasn't announced rescheduled dates for these games yet and remains uncertain about the status of further games scheduled for Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for both teams, as well as the upcoming Clippers-Lakers matchup on January 19th in Inglewood.
Lakers coach JJ Redick addressed the media at the UCLA Health Training Center, sharing the heartbreaking news that his family's rented Pacific Palisades home was destroyed by the fire on Tuesday, resulting in a significant loss of their possessions. (AP)
In an official statement, the NBA emphasized that the postponements were made in coordination with local authorities in Los Angeles and Inglewood to ensure that all resources could be dedicated to the wildfire response efforts. The league acknowledged the personal impact of the fires on members of both teams, including Redick’s tragic loss.
Lakers coach JJ Redick received support from guard Austin Reaves before speaking to the media about the devastating impact of the Pacific Palisades wildfire. (AP)
In a joint effort to aid those affected by the disaster, the NBA and the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) announced a $1 million donation to organizations like the American Red Cross and World Central Kitchen, providing immediate relief and contributing to recovery efforts. The league also stated its commitment to collaborating with the Lakers and Clippers on long-term assistance and rebuilding initiatives. This comes after the Lakers also had their Thursday game against the Hornets postponed, a game that has yet to be rescheduled.
Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard observes during a game against the Atlanta Hawks. (AP Photo/Jayne-Kamin-Oncea)
The Lakers are currently scheduled to play the Spurs again on Monday, the same day the Clippers are set to host the Miami Heat. Wednesday's schedule has the Lakers hosting the Heat and the Clippers hosting the Brooklyn Nets, with the Lakers hosting the Nets again on Friday. The Clippers have expressed their expectation that games starting Monday will proceed as planned, prioritizing the health and safety of the community and fans.
