Lakers head coach JJ Redick emotional as he talks about ‘terrible feeling’ of losing home to wildfires
Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick is one of thousands in Los Angeles whose home did not survive the wildfires that ravaged the area this week.
Redick was in Dallas for the game when he learned about the fires and that his family had evacuated.
Speaking to the media on Friday, the day after the Lakers’ game at Crypto.com Arena was postponed, he opened up about his experience returning to the Palisades and what he saw.
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Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick watches action against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the first half at Crypto.com Arena. (Gary A. Vasquez/Imagn Images)
“I’m fine. My wife came out really early. She was actually on the other side and came out, saw the fire, was with some people and headed to the airport. … She got the kids from school. They’re safe. Everything’s that was important,” he said.
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“I went to the hotel, woke up at 7 o’clock, headed to the Palisades. I had to see it for myself. I wasn’t prepared for what I saw. It’s total devastation and destruction. I had to take another route home, but I went through a bigger part of the village, and it’s all gone, I don’t think you can ever prepare for something like that.”
Fire crews battle the Kenneth Fire in the West Hills section of Los Angeles on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025. (Ethan Swope/AP)
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Redick’s home was destroyed Thursday.
“We rented for a year to try to figure out where we were going to be long-term, and everything we owned that was important to us — almost 20 years of living together and 10 years of parenting — was in that house,” an emotional Redick said. “There are certain things you can’t replace. They will never be replaced.
“Material things are everything. My family and I, we’re dealing with our own side, the individual side of losing your home. You don’t want to wish that on anyone. It’s a terrible feeling to lose your home. … I’m not sure I’ve cried or wailed like that in a few years.
Aircraft help fight fires over Pacific Palisades on Thursday, January 9, 2025. (Sandy Hooper/Imagn)
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Monday evening Vikings-Rams NFL playoff game was moved from Inglewood to Arizona because of the fires that claimed at least 10 lives, destroyed over 10,000 buildings and burned approximately 30,000 acres.
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