NBA postpones two L.A.-area games due to wildfires

Field Level Media|published: Fri 10th January, 23:22 2025

A dolphin plays in the water as destroyed homes are seen along the coast in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles on Jan. 10, 2025. Five wildfires remained active in Los Angeles County, scorching more than 36,000 acres or about 56 square miles, an area about the size of Miami, according to Cal Fire. The largest blaze, the Palisades Fire, which ranks as the most destructive in Los Angeles history, scorched over 20,000 acres, including picturesque coastal enclaves between Santa Monica and Malibu.

Two NBA games scheduled for Saturday in the Los Angeles area were postponed due to the wildfires that continue to rage in the region.

The San Antonio Spurs were due to oppose the Lakers in Los Angeles, and the Charlotte Hornets were set to face the Clippers in Inglewood, Calif.

No makeup dates were announced.

The league wrote in a statement, "The NBA and the Clippers and Lakers organizations have been in communication with local officials in Los Angeles and Inglewood about the ongoing situation in the Los Angeles area and the game postponements ensure no resources will be diverted from the wildfire response efforts.

"The NBA and the National Basketball Players Association are donating one million dollars for immediate relief to the American Red Cross, World Central Kitchen and other organizations to support those affected by this disaster and are working with the Lakers and Clippers on ways to support longer term assistance and rebuilding efforts."

The Clippers added in a statement, "The health and safety of our community and our fans remains our highest priority."

Other upcoming events at Intuit Dome in Inglewood -- the Miami Heat vs. the Clippers on Monday, the Brooklyn Nets vs. the Clippers on Wednesday, and UFC 311 on Jan. 18 -- are still due to be held as scheduled.

The Lakers have three home games scheduled for next week: vs. the Spurs on Monday (in what would have been a second straight meeting between the teams), vs. the Heat on Wednesday and vs. the Nets on Friday.

Two other games slated for Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles were postponed earlier this week: the Calgary Flames vs. the Los Angeles Kings on Wednesday and the Hornets vs. the Lakers on Thursday.

Lakers coach JJ Redick was among those who lost their homes to the wildfires this week.

--Field Level Media

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