How Los Angeles Fires Are Affecting Sports: Lakers Game Postponed

The wildfires engulfing several swaths of Los Angeles are impacting all aspects of life in Southern California—including sports.

The flames began Tuesday morning and spread throughout the region. As of Wednesday morning, three fires are concurrently burning: the Palisades fire, the Eaton fire, and the Hurst fire. More than 80,000 people have evacuated their homes, according to NBC News.

The L.A. Kings announced Wednesday that their nighttime home game against Calgary would be postponed. “We appreciate the League’s support in keeping our fans, staff, and players safe,” the team said in a statement. The NHL said the new date for the game will be announced at a later time.

Thursday night’s Lakers-Hornets game in Los Angeles was postponed, the NBA said.

The fire has forced closures of dozens of schools and engulfed one in particular, Palisades Charter High School, made famous as the set of movies and shows like Freaky Friday, Carrie, and Teen Wolf. The flames damaged the football field, baseball fields, and tennis courts, the Los Angeles Times reported. Warriors coach Steve Kerr and Lakers owner Jeanie Buss attended the high school.

Sports Figures Impacted

One of those affected is Lakers coach JJ Redick, who lives in the Palisades. He discussed the fire with reporters before the Lakers game in Dallas on Tuesday night.

“Our family, my wife’s family, my wife’s twin sister, they’ve evacuated. I know a lot of people are freaking out right now, including my family,” Redick said. “From the sound of things, with the winds coming [Tuesday night], I know a lot of people are scared. So I just want to acknowledge that. Thoughts and prayers for sure, and hope everybody stays safe.”

ESPN reported Thursday that Redick’s own home was destroyed in the fires.

Kerr said late Tuesday that his 90-year-old mother had to evacuate her home. And noted NBA reporter Chris Haynes (formerly of TNT Sports) said Wednesday that Clippers star Kawhi Leonard is stepping away from the team to be with family that was forced to evacuate. The Clippers have a game Wednesday night in Denver.

Major ESPN Tweaks

ESPN’s Malika Andrews posted on social media that there won’t be an NBA Today on Wednesday afternoon and sent her thoughts to those affected. 

An ESPN spokesperson said the company had to make some changes ahead of its coverage of the major Thunder-Cavs matchup Wednesday night, because the L.A. production facility is closed for “non-essential personnel.” (It is also airing Bucks-Spurs later Wednesday.) SportsCenter will air from Bristol on Wednesday afternoon instead of NBA Today, and an expanded SportsCenter will replace NBA Countdown. Instead of the usual Countdown talent, SportsCenter hosts will handle halftime duty for both games.

(ESPN’s downtown studios are not directly impacted by any of the fires.)

Colleges Affected

UCLA, in Westwood, and Pepperdine University, in Malibu, are located on opposite sides of the Palisades fire. Outdoor facilities like softball and baseball fields could be at risk of burning.

UCLA is open for classes today and told its community through email that the campus is not facing an immediate threat and has good air-quality levels.  A spokesperson for the UCLA athletics department told Front Office Sports its No. 1-ranked women’s basketball team returned safely Tuesday night after its away game at Purdue. “UCLA Athletics continues to monitor conditions on campus and at athletic sites to determine impact on activity,” the spokesperson said.

The official account for Pepperdine has been more active, with its most recent post Wednesday morning saying the fire is about 3.5 miles east of its Malibu campus but doesn’t pose a threat. The school did cancel in-person classes Wednesday. (In December, CNN published an article headlined: “Why Pepperdine University doesn’t evacuate students, even when flames are close to campus.”)

Eyes on NFL

The Palisades evacuation zone is about 15 miles away from SoFi Stadium, which is set to host the Rams-Vikings wild-card game Monday night. While the fire might not spread that far, it could impact staff, travel plans for the Vikings and their fans, and scheduling for practice and other events. The NFL said it has contingency plans that would move the game to State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz., if necessary. “We will continue to closely monitor developments in the area and will remain in contact with public officials, both clubs and the NFLPA,” the NFL said in a statement.

“Our hearts are with those affected by the Palisades wildfires and the first responders protecting our community. Be safe,” the Rams posted on social media Tuesday night. A spokesperson for the team deferred questions to the NFL.