NBA games are finally back in Los Angeles after deadly wildfires forced a pause in play. Both the Lakers and Clippers will return to action Monday evening, with the threat from last week’s devastating fires now reduced.
The Lakers will host San Antonio at the Crypto.com Arena, while the Clippers welcome Miami to the Intuit Dome.
“It’s above my pay grade,” Clippers coach Tyronn Lue said about getting back on court. “The NBA has a good handle on things. They know we’re going through a tough time right now in the state of California.”
The fires have left a devastating toll. Around 105,000 people are still under mandatory evacuation orders, with 16 lives lost and more than 5,600 buildings destroyed across 24,000 acres.
“Hopefully, we can bring some kind of joy with the game coming back tomorrow,” Lue added. “Try to put some smiles on people’s faces in tough times.”
The NBA is stepping up to help, donating $1 million for immediate relief. The money will go to the World Central Kitchen, American Red Cross, and other organizations helping fire victims.
The Lakers are doing their part too. They’re running a donation drive at their upcoming home games, starting Monday night, to help those who’ve lost their homes.
Some schedule shuffling is still needed. While Monday’s games are set, the Clippers’ postponed match against the Hornets will need to be rescheduled.
For Lue, who’s seen his share of challenges in basketball, this crisis hits different. “This is probably the biggest thing I’ve been a part of,” he said. “Just seeing families and people lose their houses, lose their businesses, lose loved ones. It’s pretty devastating, and it’s tough to really fathom what they’re going through right now.”
