The NBA has announced that Saturday’s home games between 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 dates for the two games, and the league has not disclosed whether other games will be affected by the fire, as both teams have home games scheduled for Monday and Wednesday and the Lakers have another home game on Friday. The two teams are scheduled to play each other again in Inglewood, California, on Jan. 19, where the Clippers will be.
CLIPPERS’ KAWHI LEONARD LEAVES TEAM TO HELP FAMILY DEAL WITH FIRE: 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, Calif., on Friday, Jan. 10, 2025. (AP)
“The NBA and the Clippers and Lakers have been in contact with local officials in Los Angeles and Inglewood regarding the ongoing situation in the Los Angeles area and the postponement of the game ensures that no resources will be diverted from wildfire efforts,” the league said. in the statement.
Other members of both teams are dealing directly with the effects of the wildfires, including Lakers coach JJ Redick, whose family rental home in Pacific Palisades burned Tuesday night, destroying many of their possessions.
“I wasn’t ready for what I saw,” Redick told the media. “It’s devastation and destruction. I had to go another way to the house, but I went through a lot of village, it was gone. I don’t think you can ever prepare for something like that. Our home is there. You’re gone.”
‘I’M NOT READY FOR WHAT I SAW’: LAKERS COACH JJ REDDICK ON PALISADES FIRE DEBATE
Los Angeles Lakers NBA basketball coach JJ Redick, right, is hugged by guard Austin Reaves, left, before speaking to the media about the Pacific Palisades wildfire at a news conference in El Segundo, Calif., on Friday, Jan. 10, 2025. (AP)
The NBA and the National Basketball Players Association, the players’ union, announced Friday a $1 million donation to help the American Red Cross, World Central Kitchen and other organizations working to provide aid to victims and recovery efforts.
The donation was intended to “support those affected by this tragedy,” the league said, adding that it is “working with the Lakers and Clippers in ways to support long-term relief and rebuilding efforts.”
The Lakers also had a game scheduled for Thursday against the Hornets that was also postponed, but it has not 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)
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The Lakers are scheduled to host the Spurs again on Monday, when the Clippers are set to host the Miami Heat. On Wednesday, the Lakers are scheduled to host the Heat and the Clippers are scheduled to host the Brooklyn Nets. The Lakers are also scheduled to host the Nets on Friday.
The Clippers said they expect the games starting on Monday to be played as scheduled.
“The health and safety of our community and our fans remains our top priority,” the team said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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