In a city where legends are forged under the bright lights of the Staples Center, now Crypto.com Arena, the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers are set to return to the court on Monday after a heartbreaking hiatus. The pause in their seasons was anything but ordinary, as it was not due to player strikes or pandemics, but a result of devastating fires that swept through parts of Los Angeles County, claiming 16 lives and leveling over 12,000 structures to ashes.
Fires Force a Timeout
The catastrophic fires triggered the evacuation of approximately 150,000 residents, including notable figures from Los Angeles sports teams. Among them, Lakers' coach JJ Redick witnessed the fury of the inferno firsthand, as his rental home succumbed to the flames. "I was not prepared for what I saw," Redick recounted, reflecting on the sheer devastation. "It's complete devastation and destruction. I had to go kind of a different way to the house, but I went through most of the village and it's all gone. I don't think you can ever prepare yourself for something like that."
Further north, Steve Kerr, the celebrated coach of the Golden State Warriors and former Lakers player, also faced personal loss. The flames consumed his childhood home, a place that held countless memories. In a narrow miss of tragedy, Kerr's 90-year-old mother was safely evacuated before disaster could strike.
Player Impact and Resumption
The fires also made a personal impact on players. Kawhi Leonard, a key figure in the Clippers' roster, took an absence from basketball to focus on tackling challenges posed by the fires' impact on his family. However, fans will be relieved to know that Leonard made a celebrated return to the court on January 4, coinciding with the team's eagerly anticipated season resumption.
With the embers finally cooling, the Lakers are preparing for their showdown against the San Antonio Spurs at their home court, Crypto.com Arena, while the Clippers will host the Brooklyn Nets at the newly opened Intuit Dome. These games mark a significant return to normalcy amid a community's struggle to rebuild.
Games on Hold
Despite the upcoming games bringing excitement back to Los Angeles, the fires' impact continues to echo through the league with several postponed matchups. Fans of both the Lakers and Clippers await the rescheduling of clashes such as Lakers vs. Charlotte Hornets, Lakers vs. Spurs, and Clippers vs. Hornets.
The NHL's Kings, who share the Crypto.com Arena with the Lakers, also felt the fire's unexpected intervention. They had to postpone a game against the Calgary Flames due to the same devastation that brought the Lakers and Clippers' seasons to a temporary halt.
As the players lace up their sneakers and tape their ankles, the fight to return to the familiar rhythms of the NBA schedule embodies not just the athletic prowess of these teams, but the resilience of a community that refuses to be overshadowed by tragedy. The coming games will not only test the athletes' skills but also serve as a poignant reminder of the bonds connecting a city, its people, and its beloved sport.