Some folks in NBA circles have been impacted by the wildfires wreaking havoc in Southern California.
According to a Wednesday report, Los Angeles Clippers star Kawhi Leonard stepped away from the team to tend to family after he had loved ones who were forced to evacuate.
Now, it’s known that Los Angeles Lakers head coach J.J. Redick has also been affected by the wildfires. According to a Thursday report from ESPN’s Shams Charania, Redick lost his home as a result of the flames.
Tragic fires in L.A. have impacted so many, including Lakers personnel such as head coach JJ Redick who lost his home. 🙏🏽 https://t.co/fTbO0NEgST
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 9, 2025
The Lakers, whose game against the Charlotte Hornets on Thursday has been postponed, issued a statement.
We're with you, LA 💜 pic.twitter.com/PoROo4ycd9
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) January 9, 2025
As of Thursday, at least five people have been killed by the wildfires, though the exact death toll isn’t clear right now. Almost 180,000 folks are being impacted by evacuation orders. The fires have caused mass destruction.
Based on Charania’s report, Redick isn’t the only member of the Lakers who has been impacted by the crisis, and it’s likely that some other California-based folks in the sports world have also been affected.
Redick is currently in just his inaugural season as the head coach of the Lakers, and he’s gotten his first taste of coaching experience at the NBA level in Los Angeles.
The Lakers hired Redick after the team decided to part ways with former head coach Darvin Ham, who led the squad from the sidelines for two seasons.
Los Angeles has had an up-and-down 2024-25 season so far, but Redick has done a solid job overall leading the storied franchise.
Redick has the Lakers sitting as the No. 6 seed in the Western Conference standings at this juncture with a record of 20-16. Furthermore, Los Angeles is in a position where it could seemingly rise several spots in the standings with a winning streak, as the Lakers are just four games back of the No. 2 seed.
Lakers fans should extend their hearts not only to Redick but his entire family in light of the wildfires destroying his home. Hopefully, folks working to put out the fires will soon have the situation under control, but they seem to have their work cut out for them.
