The NBA announced that Saturday’s home games for both the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers have been postponed amid the wildfires sweeping through 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 yet to announce makeup 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 home game on Friday. The two teams are also scheduled to play each other in Inglewood, Calif., on Jan. 19, when the Clippers host.
CLIPPERS’ KAWHI LEONARD LEAVES TEAM TO HELP FAMILY DEAL WITH COUNTRY FIRE: REPORT
Los Angeles Lakers coach JJ Redick says he and his family lost their house in the deadly Pacific Palisades wildfire during an NBA basketball news conference at the UCLA Health Training Center in El Segundo, Calif., Friday, Jan. 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 ongoing situation in the Los Angeles area, and the game postponements ensure that no resources will be diverted from wildfire efforts,” the league said . in a statement.
Some members of both teams are dealing directly with the effects of the wildfires, including Lakers coach JJ Redick, whose family’s Pacific Palisades rental home burned Tuesday night, destroying many of their belongings.
“I wasn’t prepared for what I saw,” Redick told reporters. “It’s complete destruction and devastation. I had to go a different way to the house but I went through most of the village and it’s all gone. I don’t think you can ever prepare for something like this. Our home is away.”
‘I WAS NOT PREPARED FOR WHAT I SAW’: LAKERS COACH JJ REDDICK DETAILS OF THE DEVASTATION FROM THE PALISADES FIRE
Los Angeles Lakers NBA head basketball coach JJ Redick, right, is hugged by guard Austin Reaves, left, before speaking to the media about the Pacific Palisades wildfire during a news conference in El Segundo, Calif., Friday, Jan. 10, 2025 . (AP)
The NBA and the National Basketball Players Association, 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 the 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 relief and rebuilding efforts.”
The Lakers also had a previously scheduled game for Thursday against the Hornets postponed, 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 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 will also host the Nets on Friday.
The Clippers said they expect games starting Monday to be played as scheduled.
“The health and safety of our community and our fans remains our highest priority,” the team said.
