The Lakers’ game against the Charlotte Hornets scheduled for Thursday has been postponed because of the continuing wildfire crisis in Los Angeles County, the league and team announced.
The game, which was slated to tip off at 7:30 p.m. at Crypto.com Arena, will be rescheduled at a later date. Tickets for Thursday’s game will be honored on the makeup date.
“We’re heartbroken for Los Angeles. 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,” the Lakers said in a statement posted to social media. “Tonight’s game will be rescheduled to focus on what matters most today.
“We’re with you, LA.”
The Lakers’ next scheduled game is Saturday at Crypto.com against San Antonio.
The decision to postpone Thursday’s game, which came a day after the NBA said it was monitoring the situation, comes as members of the organization try to sort through the devastation of the fires that affected people inside the Lakers, their friends and their families.
“The entire NBA family sends its thoughts and support to the community of Los Angeles during this challenging time,” the NBA 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.”
Lakers head coach JJ Redick, who had been renting a home in Pacific Palisades, had his family evacuated early Tuesday.
“I just want to acknowledge and send thoughts and prayers to everyone in the Palisades right now. It’s where I live. My family and my wife’s family, my wife’s twin sister, they’ve evacuated. I know that a lot of people are freaking out right now, including my family,” he said before the Lakers played in Dallas on Tuesday. “… I know a lot of people are scared. So I just want to acknowledge that. Thoughts and prayers for sure. I hope everybody stays safe.”
Wednesday’s NHL game between the Kings and the Calgary Flames was also postponed. The NFL moved the Rams’ NFC wild-card game for Monday night at SoFi Stadium to State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.
Elsewhere in the NBA, Clippers star Kawhi Leonard missed the team’s loss at Denver on Wednesday to be with his family after they evacuated from the Palisades area. Warriors coach Steve Kerr said his mother had to flee her home in Pacific Palisades on Tuesday and the Golden State video coordinator’s childhood home was lost to the fires. Lakers president Jeanie Buss has deep Los Angeles roots and attended Palisades High, which suffered fire damage.
