NBA Resumes Games in Los Angeles Amid Wildfire Crisis

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — NBA games are scheduled to return to wildfire-ravaged Los Angeles on Monday night, with the Clippers and Lakers set to resume their seasons after multiple postponements due to the ongoing crisis. The Clippers will host the San Antonio Spurs at Intuit Dome, while the Lakers will face the Spurs at Crypto.com Arena.

The decision to play comes as wildfires continue to devastate the region, with over 105,000 people under mandatory evacuation orders and at least 16 fatalities reported. The Palisades Fire, the most destructive in Los Angeles history, has destroyed more than 5,600 structures across 24,000 acres.

“I pray this nightmare ends soon!” Lakers star LeBron James posted on social media, reflecting the sentiment of many affected by the disaster. The NBA has pledged $1 million in immediate relief to organizations like the American Red Cross and World Central Kitchen.

Clippers coach Tyronn Lue acknowledged the challenges of playing during such a crisis. “When people are losing their homes, kids are losing schools, losing lives, it’s very difficult to approach the game of basketball because life is bigger than basketball,” Lue said. “Hopefully, we can bring some kind of joy with the game coming back tomorrow and some togetherness and try to put some smiles on people’s faces in tough times.”

The Lakers announced a donation drive for their upcoming home games, encouraging fans to bring unused, unopened items to support the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank. The team’s UCLA Health Training Center will also serve as a drive-thru donation center starting Tuesday.

Spurs guard Chris Paul, a Los Angeles resident, expressed concern for the community after his team’s loss Wednesday night. “It’s definitely scary, everything that is going on,” Paul said. “I’m sending so much love and prayers to some of my closest friends and family who have lost everything.”

The Clippers’ Terance Mann plans to donate clothes, shoes, and other essentials to those affected. “I just want to give a lot of clothes, some money, shoes, whatever I can,” Mann said. “I’m going to go help people out and donate and drive around and do what I can do to help.”

Both teams have faced logistical challenges, with the Spurs relocating to a downtown Los Angeles hotel due to fire concerns. The Clippers, who last played five days ago, are eager to provide a distraction for their fans. “We’ve been through the crazy stuff for the last five days,” said Clippers forward Nicolas Batum. “I think maybe people need that to get their mind off of it for two, three hours.”

The Lakers and Clippers are scheduled to host additional games on Wednesday, with the Lakers facing the Miami Heat and the Clippers taking on the Brooklyn Nets. ESPN has adjusted its broadcast schedule, replacing the Lakers-Heat game with a matchup between the Golden State Warriors and Minnesota Timberwolves.