Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick is one of the thousands in Los Angeles whose homes did not survive the wildfires that have ravaged the area this week.
Redick was in Dallas for a game when he heard about the fires and that his family had evacuated.
Speaking to the media Friday, a day after a Lakers game at Crypto.com Arena was postponed, he opened up about his experience returning to the Palisades and what he saw.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON Pakinomist
Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick watches the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first half at Crypto.com Arena. (Gary A. Vasquez/Imagn Images)
“I’m fine. My wife got out really early. She was actually on the other side and came outside, saw the fire, was with some people and was on her way to the airport. … Got the kids from school. They’re safe. Everything it meant,” he said.
IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS FOR LOS ANGELES AREA RESIDENTS AND HOW YOU CAN HELP
“Went to the hotel, woke up at 7, went up to the Palisades. I had to see it for myself. I wasn’t prepared for what I saw. It’s complete destruction and devastation. I had to go another way to the house but went through most of the village and it’s all gone, I don’t think you can ever prepare for something like that.”
Fire crews battle the Kenneth Fire in the West Hills section of Los Angeles on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025. (Ethan Swope/AP)
WARRIORS’ STEVE KERR SAYS CHILDHOOD HOME BLOWN DOWN BY CALIFORNIA WILDFIRES: ‘IT’S SURREAL AND DEVASTATING’
Redick’s home was destroyed Thursday.
“We rented for a year to try to figure out where we wanted to be long-term, and everything we own that was important to us — almost 20 years of being together and 10 years of parenting — was in that house,” an emotional Redick said. “There are certain things you can’t replace. They will never be replaced.
“The material things don’t matter. My family and I, we deal with the self side, the individual side of losing your home. You never want to wish that on anybody. It’s a terrible feeling to lose your home. … Not sure that I have cried or wailed like this for years.
Aircraft assist in firefighting over Pacific Palisades on Thursday, January 9, 2025. (Sandy Hooper/Imagn)
Monday night’s Vikings-Rams NFL playoff game was moved from Inglewood to Arizona because of the fires that have claimed at least 10 lives, destroyed more than 10,000 buildings and burned about 30,000 acres.
