The NBA decided to postpone the Thursday game between the Charlotte Hornets and Los Angeles Lakers after a massive wildfire engulfed the city. It has been reported that over 5300 structures have been destroyed by the fire, including Lakers head coach JJ Redick’s rental house.
Before the Tuesday match against the Dallas Mavericks, Redick confirmed that his family was asked to evacuate the area.
On the other hand, Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr lost his childhood home in Palisades. Kerr revealed on Thursday that his 90-year-old mother, Ann is safe after evacuating the house in time.
“We’re heartbroken for Los Angeles,” the Lakers said in a statement. “Our thoughts are with all those impacted by this unimaginable situation. And our gratitude is with the first responders and all of you who come together when we need each other the most. Tonight’s game will be rescheduled to focus on what matters most today.”
The NBA had not announced a makeup date for the Hornets-Lakers game as of Thursday afternoon.
“The entire NBA family sends its thoughts and support to the community of Los Angeles during this challenging time,” the league said in a statement. “We are grateful for the thousands of local firefighters and first responders who have demonstrated enormous bravery. Our prayers remain with those affected by the unimaginable devastation caused by the wildfires.”
Steve Kerr also shared his agony after Palisades Charter High School was wiped out by fire.
“That’s my hometown,” Kerr said before the Warriors’ 107-104 victory against Detroit on Thursday night. “And all my friends who are from there, pretty much, they’ve all lost their homes, their family homes, childhood homes, our whole high school’s gone. The town looks like it’s just been completely wiped out. It’s surreal and devastating, but fortunately, most, almost everyone escaped.
“The pictures reminded me of Lahaina [fire in Maui] from a couple of years ago, and so I’m so happy that there wasn’t a loss of life that people in Hawai’i experienced. But it’s hard to even fathom how Pacific Palisades rebuilds and how it becomes a thriving community again. It’s just shocking.”
