LA fires: NBA postpones Los Angeles Lakers game along with NHL Los Angeles Kings game | Basketball news
The NBA postponed the Los Angeles Lakers’ home game against the Charlotte Hornets on Thursday due to several wildfires burning in the greater Los Angeles area.
This is the second day in a row that a game scheduled to be played in downtown Los Angeles has been postponed. The NHL’s Los Angeles Kings were scheduled to host the Calgary Flames on Wednesday night.
The date of the postponed matches will be announced later. The Kings said tickets for their postponed game against Calgary will be good for the rescheduled date.
At least five wildfires are raging in Los Angeles, fueled by strong winds of up to 160 km/h, in which five people have died and 180,000 people have been told to evacuate their homes.
The fires burned about 45 square miles (117 square kilometers), about the size of San Francisco. The Palisades Fire is already the most destructive in the history of Los Angeles.
Lakers head coach JJ Redick, who lives in the Palisades area, addressed the threat to his home before Tuesday’s 118-97 loss to the Dallas Mavericks.
“I just want to acknowledge right now and send my thoughts and prayers to everyone in Palisades,” Redick said at the time. “I live here. My family and my wife’s family, my wife’s twin sister, evacuated.
“I know a lot of people are scared right now, including my family. I know a lot of people are scared. I just want to acknowledge that. I hope everyone stays safe.”
The Lakers said in a statement Thursday: “Our hearts are broken for Los Angeles. Our thoughts are with all those affected by this unimaginable situation. And our gratitude goes out to the first responders and all of you who are rallying when we are needed most. each other .we are with you, LA.”
Lakers star LeBron James posted on social media earlier in the week that he was “praying for everyone” in the area.
Vikings-Rams headed to LA despite wildfires, but there’s a backup plan
The Minnesota Vikings vs. Los Angeles Rams playoff game is still scheduled to take place at SoFi Stadium in California, but there is a contingency plan in place due to multiple wildfires ongoing around LA.
The Rams sent a statement to season ticket holders and fans Thursday morning reiterating that Monday night’s game remains as scheduled.
The NFL said Wednesday night that if the game had to be moved, it would be held at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, home of the Arizona Cardinals.
In 2003, the league moved a Monday night regular season game between the Miami Dolphins and the San Diego Chargers to Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona due to wildfires.
Both the Rams and Los Angeles Chargers practice in fire-free areas, but both teams are monitoring air quality and its potential impact on their practices.
The Chargers changed their practice schedule Wednesday to reduce the amount of time their players spend outdoors in coastal El Segundo.
The Chargers leave after practice on Thursday for Houston and their AFC matchup against the Texans on Saturday.
