In the world of the NBA, Los Angeles Lakers coach JJ Redick is grappling with a deeply personal crisis amid the ongoing Palisades Fire in Los Angeles. Multiple reports broke on Thursday that Redick’s home has fallen victim to the devastating wildfire.
The firestorm, driven by fierce winds, prompted Redick and numerous others in his Los Angeles neighborhood to flee their homes on Tuesday. It swept through an upscale hillside area of Pacific Palisades, burning homes and triggering evacuation orders impacting tens of thousands. This is a community where many celebrities reside, underscoring the fire’s widespread impact.
Before the Lakers squared off against the Mavericks in Dallas, Redick addressed the situation, highlighting the gravity of this natural disaster for his family and community. “I just want to acknowledge and send thoughts and prayers to everyone in the Palisades right now,” said Redick, reflecting the stoic resilience needed at such times. He detailed how his family, including his wife’s relatives, had evacuated, noting the palpable fear with winds set to intensify. “A lot of people are scared. So I just want to acknowledge that. Thoughts and prayers for sure, and hope everybody stays safe,” he added, offering heartfelt words that resonate beyond the basketball world.
In a prudent move, the Lakers have postponed their home game against the Charlotte Hornets that was slated for Thursday, showing the team’s acknowledgment of the broader community concern.
While officials are yet to disclose the full scope of destruction in the Pacific Palisades, the numbers are staggering—approximately 30,000 residents are under evacuation orders, with over 13,000 structures at risk. The blaze ignited around 10:30 a.m., coinciding with a Santa Ana windstorm that has been described by the National Weather Service as not only “life-threatening” but the most severe Southern California has faced in more than a decade.
The weather forecasters are painting a grim picture, with wind speeds projected to rise overnight and sustain for several days, producing isolated gusts exceeding 100 mph (160 kph) in rugged terrains. These conditions, set against a backdrop of prolonged dry spells, are setting the stage for a challenging period ahead for Los Angeles communities like Pacific Palisades.
