Summary:
- The Los Angeles Lakers resumed play on Monday following a six-day pause due to the devastating Southern California wildfires.
- Head coach JJ Redick emphasized the unifying power of sports during difficult times.
- The Clippers secured a 109-98 victory over the Miami Heat; the Lakers fell 126-102 to the San Antonio Spurs.
The Lakers returned to the basketball court Monday after a six-day hiatus caused by the devastating Southern California wildfires. Head coach JJ Redick reflected on the role sports can play in times of tragedy.
It’s Our Job to Go Give Strength, and Give Hope and Give Joy”
I think a group functions best when you draw strength from each other. Then it’s our job to go give strength, and give hope and give joy. Sports can certainly provide an escape and a distraction, and hopefully, sports, and tonight, can provide some joy as well.
For Redick, whose family lost their Pacific Palisades home, the outpouring of support has been overwhelming.
After the game, Spurs players Chris Paul and Victor Wembanyama presented signed jerseys to Redick’s sons, a heartfelt gesture acknowledging the loss of their basketball memorabilia in the fire.
“Chris is like family“, Redick said. Paul, visibly emotional, added, “It hits different when the people are close to you“.
The game against the San Antonio Spurs, held as scheduled, was dedicated to the Los Angeles community and the first responders battling the fires that have claimed over two dozen lives and destroyed thousands of structures.
The Lakers and other L.A. sports teams have collectively pledged over $8 million toward relief efforts, with the Lakers starting a donation drive for essential supplies.
Many Lakers players, including Anthony Davis, were directly affected by the fires.
Davis and his family evacuated their home Friday but returned over the weekend. “The fight isn’t over“, the 31-year-old said, expressing gratitude for the first responders and planning to arrange for Lakers tickets as a gesture of thanks.
Despite the disruptions, Redick highlighted the team’s strengthened camaraderie during the unplanned break, calling it “our best three days in the gym since training camp“.
The Lakers took the court in black warmup shirts featuring the team logo alongside the L.A. Fire Department emblem and the words “Thank you, first responders“.
Before tipoff, a moment of silence was held, and Lakers guard Gabe Vincent, who was also displaced, addressed the crowd.
We want to give a shoutout to the first responders who are putting their lives on the line to protect our community
Clippers Game Away White Towels Reading “LA Strong”
The Los Angeles Clippers, who were playing against the Miami Heat nearby at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood nearby, joined the city’s solidarity efforts, distributing white “LA Strong” towels with a blue image of the state of California
Clippers public address announcer Eric Smith: one team, one Los Angeles pic.twitter.com/GDrkaCVUiC
— Law Murray 🔜 (@LawMurrayTheNU) January 14, 2025
“We’re so thankful for the first responders, but we ache for the victims“, commented public address announcer Eric Smith before the game.
Clippers guard James Harden, a Los Angeles native, remarked on the importance of unity during such times.
Coach Ty Lue stated that the Clippers team and organization are “doing everything possible to offer support“.
The Clippers won by 109-98 against the Heat while the Lakers lost 126-102 to the Spurs.