Los Angeles Wildfire: Status of NBA, NFL, NHL games; Coaches, athletes affected by fire
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Powerful Santa Ana winds are causing three intense and destructive wildfires to rage across Southern California. Evacuation orders, which now include parts of the Los Angeles area, have caused thousands of people to flee their homes.
Of course, the fires are also affecting athletes and sporting events across the city.
Status of games scheduled in LA
On Wednesday, the fire prompted the Kings to postpone their Wednesday night home game against the Calgary Flames.
“Tonight’s game against Calgary has been postponed,” a statement from the Kings said. “Our hearts go out to the entire Los Angeles community. “We appreciate the hard-working first responders who are working diligently to contain the fires and protect our community.”
The Lakers are scheduled to begin a four-game home stand against the Charlotte Hornets on Thursday. They share the Crypto.com Arena with the Kings as their home arena. The Clippers are scheduled to return from a road trip on Saturday to host the Hornets at their new arena in Inglewood.
Those games remained on schedule as of Wednesday afternoon, but their status could change depending on the trajectory of the wildfires.
Hornets take off from Charlotte Wednesday for a back-to-back against the Lakers and Clippers. Meanwhile, NBA spokesman Mike Bass said, issued a statement Addressing Thursday’s scheduled Hornets-Lakers game.
“We have been in communication with the Lakers and Hornets and continue to monitor the situation closely to determine if any scheduling adjustments related to tomorrow night’s game are necessary.”
NFL has contingency plan for Rams-Vikings game
The NFL playoffs begin this weekend with the wild-card round, and the Los Angeles Rams are set to host the Minnesota Vikings on Monday night. SoFi Stadium is located in Inglewood, about 10 miles southeast of where the Palisades Fire is burning, but the situation is rapidly evolving.
The NFL said it plans to play that game as scheduled, but it announced a contingency plan Wednesday afternoon. If necessary, the game would be moved to State Farm Stadium in Arizona – home of the Cardinals. It will still happen on Monday night.
The NFL said in a statement that it would “continue to monitor developments closely” and “will remain in contact with public officials, both clubs and the NFLPA.”
Chargers raise supplies, funds for disaster relief, pet rescue
The Chargers announced Wednesday that they are donating $200,000 to several organizations in support of firefighting and recovery efforts, including “the American Red Cross, the LA Fire Department Foundation, Team Rubicon and several pet rescue organizations sheltering animals displaced by the fire.” Have been.
The Chargers are also asking people who want to bring supplies to previously scheduled fan events before their playoff game on Saturday. The Chargers are visiting the Houston Texans in the wild-card round.
Kawhi Leonard walks away from the Clippers
Los Angeles Clippers star Kawhi Leonard skipped the team Wednesday to be with his family, which was affected by the fire and evacuated.
Further details about his condition are not yet known. The Clippers are set to take on the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday night at Ball Arena in Denver. They will return home for Saturday’s game against the Hornets.
Leonard has only played two games for the Clippers this season. He made his debut last week after missing the summer and the first half of the season with a long-term knee injury. It is unclear how long Leonard will be away from the Clippers.
JJ Redick’s family evicted
Lakers head coach JJ Redick, who lives in Palisades, said Tuesday that his family had to evacuate their home because of the encroachment fire and smoke. Redick and the Lakers were not in Los Angeles, but in Texas for a game against the Dallas Mavericks.
“I just want to acknowledge and send thoughts and prayers to everyone in Palisades right now,” Reddick said. “That’s where I live.
“Our family, my wife’s family, my wife’s twin sister, they’ve been evacuated. I know a lot of people are panicking right now, including my family. From the sound of things, from the winds coming [Tuesday night]I know a lot of people are scared. So I just want to accept it. “Certainly thoughts and prayers, and hope everyone stays safe.”
TNT reported that the Lakers’ flight to Los Angeles would be delayed due to the fire, but the team told ESPN they would still depart Dallas on Tuesday night.
Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr was also affected by the fire. His 90-year-old mother lives in Pacific Palisades and had to evacuate her home.
“I want to send my thoughts and condolences to everyone battling the fires in Los Angeles,” Kerr said after the Warriors’ 114-98 loss to the Miami Heat. “My mom lives in Pacific Palisades. He had to evacuate.
“Everything I’m seeing and reading is pretty scary about what’s happening out there,” Kerr said, “so I just want to send thoughts to everyone who is going through the devastation of the fires.” Obviously sport is secondary to him and many other things in life. Perspective is important.”
Kerr also said that Everett Dayton, who works for the Warriors in their player development department, grew up in the Palisades and lost his childhood home.