Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick is among hundreds of Southern California residents who have lost their homes to wildfires raging across the Los Angeles area.
Redick revealed that his family was forced to evacuate their home on Tuesday due to the Palisades Fire, which has burned more than 17,000 acres and leveled more than 1,000 structures in just three days, according to Cal Fire.
‘I just want to acknowledge and send thoughts and prayers to everyone in Palisades right now. That’s where I live,’ Redick said Tuesday ahead of the Lakers’ 118-97 loss to the Dallas Mavericks. ‘Our family, my wife’s family, my wife’s twin sister, they’ve evacuated. I know a lot of people are freaking out right now, including my family. From the sound of things, with the winds coming (on Tuesday night), I know a lot of people are scared. So I just want to acknowledge that. Thoughts and prayers for sure, and hope everybody stays safe.’
On Thursday, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that Redick’s home was lost to the blaze. The Palisades Fire, which has been fueled by strong Santa Ana winds, is zero percent contained, as of Thursday afternoon.
Earlier, the NBA announced that Thursday’s matchup between the Lakers and Charlotte Hornets in Los Angeles at the Crypto.com Center has been postponed amid the wildfires.
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‘The entire NBA family sends its thoughts and support to the community of Los Angeles during this challenging time,’ the NBA statement read. ‘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.’
The Lakers added: ‘We’re heartbroken for Los Angeles. Our thoughts are with all those impacted by this unimaginable situation. … Tonight’s game will be rescheduled to focus on what matters most today.’
Redick is not the only person in the NBA community who has been displaced by the Los Angeles wildfires. Los Angeles Clippers star forward Kawhi Leonard stepped away from the team after his family was ordered to evacuate, according to NBA insider Chris Haynes. Leonard was absent from the Clippers’ 126-103 loss to the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday.
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