As wildfires continue to threaten large portions of Los Angeles, the city’s pro sports teams are postponing home games.
The NHL’s Los Angeles Kings were the first to act, scrapping a scheduled Wednesday night game vs. the Calgary Flames at Crypto.com Arena. The Lakers of the NBA followed suit on Thursday, postponing a matchup with the Charlotte Hornets; makeup dates for the two contests haven’t been determined yet.
“We’re heartbroken for Los Angeles. Our thoughts are with all those impacted by this unimaginable situation,” the Lakers said in a statement posted to the team’s social media accounts Thursday. “And our gratitude is with the first responders and all of you who come together when we need each other the most. Tonight’s game will be rescheduled to focus on what matters most today. We’re with you, L.A.”
On Friday, the Lakers announced Saturday’s game against San Antonio Spurs has also been postponed by the NBA.
“The Los Angeles community is in our hearts,” the team shared in a statement. “The Lakers look forward to getting back on the court soon, honoring LA’s first responders and recognizing the heartbreak endured across our beloved community.”
Additionally, Clippers star Kawhi Leonard missed Wednesday’s game against the Nuggets in Denver to return to Los Angeles and be with family members who evacuated in the wake of the Palisades Fire, according to ESPN. Leonard bought a home in Pacific Palisades in 2021. On Friday, the NBA announced the Clippers’ next game against the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday at Intuit Dome has also been postponed.
Next week’s events will continue as scheduled at Intuit Dome, with the Clippers hosting the Miami Heat on Monday, January 13, and the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday, January 15. We will welcome UFC 311 on Saturday, January 18.
In the NFL, the L.A. Rams is slated to host the Minnesota Vikings in a wild-card playoff game Monday night. However, the league announced Thursday that the game has been moved from SoFi Stadium in Inglewood to State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona (the home field of the Arizona Cardinals).
The UCLA and USC women’s basketball teams — both of whom are ranked in the top five — have home games scheduled for Sunday (vs. Northwestern and Penn State, respectively). The Hollywood Reporter has contacted both schools about possible schedule changes and will update this story with any responses. The schools’ men’s hoops teams are both on road trips to Big Ten opponents this weekend.
Loyola Marymount and Pepperdine each postponed women’s basketball games set for Thursday. The two schools are scheduled to play each other in both men’s and women’s basketball on Saturday, but those games could be pushed as well.
The Palisades Fire and the Eaton Fire near Altadena — both fueled by heavy winds and very dry conditions — are the two largest of several wildfires in Los Angeles County. Some 180,000 people have evacuated, and five deaths have been reported from the Eaton Fire.
