Two additional NBA games were postponed in light of the devastating wildfires that continue to wreak havoc in the Southern Los Angeles area for days.
LeBron James and the Lakers are supposed to host the Victor Wembanyama and San Antonio Spurs tomorrow, January 12, on top of LaMelo Ball and the Charlotte Hornets visiting James Harden and the Clippers in Inglewood.
However, the National Basketball Association decided to take urgent action, putting hold of those games in addition to a similar decision yesterday between the Lakers-Hornets matchup.
The following has been released by the NBA.
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) January 11, 2025
No makeup dates were announced for the three postponed games.
The following has been released by the NBA.
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) January 9, 2025
In an effort to help the affected individuals, the NBA together with National Basketball Players Association (NBAPA) donated one million dollars.
“The NBA and the National Basketball Players Association are donating one million dollars for immediate relief to the American Red Cross, World Central Kitchen and other organizations to support those affected by this disaster and are working with the Lakers and Clippers on ways to support longer term assistance and rebuilding efforts,” the statement read.
Los Angeles 💜
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) January 11, 2025
Our game tomorrow has been postponed by the @NBA due to the ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles and out of respect for the public service resources needed during this time.
— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) January 11, 2025
Tickets for the game against the Hornets will be honored on the rescheduled date.
Per the Associated Press, the wildfires killed 11 people and forced nearly 180,000 residents to evacuate with most of the damages coming from the the Palisades Fire and Eaton Fire.
Some NBA personalities in Kawhi Leonard, JJ Reddick, and Steve Kerr were affected by the ongoing disaster as well as their respective families.
[ALSO READ: Kawhi Leonard, JJ Reddick, Steve Kerr among impacted by massive Southern LA wildfires]
“A Healing Process”
Reddick admitted that he “wasn’t prepared" on seeing the eventual fate of his rental home in the Pacific Palisades the first time he visited the area.
“It's complete devastation and destruction. I went through most of the village and it's all gone. And I don't think you can ever prepare yourself for something like that. Our home, our home is gone,” the first year Laker coach told reporters.
The former 15-year NBA veteran insisted his squad believed that there's a ‘healing process’ to like him who’s severely affected by the tragedy.
“I do believe for everybody, for everybody that has been impacted by this, there is a grieving process. There’s a healing process. I can only speak for myself, part of my healing and grieving process is being here with these guys and coaching basketball,” Reddick added.
Lakers guard Austin Reaves revealed that he dropped a text to his head coach immediately after he found out about what transpired.
“Reaching out to show him that not just me, but this team loves him and cares about him and his family,” Reaves bared.
Lakers guard Austin Reaves on supporting JJ Redick amid the Pacific Palisades wildfire
— Mark Medina (@MarkG_Medina) January 10, 2025
After his dad LeBron sent his regards, Bronny James also took time to show his support to the LA community in a tweet.
PRAY FOR LA 🙏
— Bronny (@BronnyJamesJr) January 10, 2025
