By ESPN | Created at 2025-01-09 19:15:03 | Updated at 2025-01-10 04:07:07
8 hours ago
ESPN News Services
Jan 9, 2025, 01:46 PM ET
LOS ANGELES -- The NBA postponed the Los Angeles Lakers' home game against the Charlotte Hornets on Thursday with several massive wildfires burning across the greater Los Angeles area.
It marks the second straight day that a game slated to be played in downtown Los Angeles has been postponed. The NHL's Los Angeles Kings were scheduled to host the Calgary Flames on Wednesday night.
The NBA had not announced a makeup date for the Hornets-Lakers game as of Thursday afternoon.
"The entire NBA family sends its thoughts and support to the community of Los Angeles during this challenging time," the league said in a statement. "We are grateful for the thousands of local firefighters and first responders who have demonstrated enormous bravery. Our prayers remain with those affected by the unimaginable devastation caused by the wildfires."
Three major fires were burning in areas of the vast Los Angeles metroplex following two days of extraordinary winds. A major threat broke out Wednesday evening in the Hollywood Hills, close to the heart of the entertainment industry, but had been contained by Thursday morning.
Roughly 180,000 people are under evacuation orders, and the fires have consumed about 45 square miles (117 square kilometers) -- roughly the size of San Francisco. The Palisades Fire is already the most destructive in Los Angeles' history.
Lakers coach coach JJ Redick, who resides in Palisades, said Tuesday before his team's game in Dallas that members of his family were among those forced to evacuate their homes.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
