NBA games are scheduled to return to fire-ravaged Los Angeles on Monday night, with the Clippers planning to resume their schedule when they host the Miami Heat and the Lakers preparing to host Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs.
The Clippers said at practice Sunday that the NBA had given the go-ahead for the game at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, south of the sprawling Palisades fire. The Spurs were told that, barring changes, they will also play the Lakers on Monday at Crypto.com Arena in downtown Los Angeles.
It will be the Clippers’ first game in five days after their home game against Charlotte on Saturday was postponed due to the deadly wildfires in Los Angeles. The Lakers had to postpone two home games, one against the Hornets on Thursday and the other being the first of a planned two-game series against the Spurs on Saturday.
The Clippers and Lakers also have home games scheduled for Wednesday, with the Clippers facing the Brooklyn Nets and the Lakers hosting the Heat. ESPN planned to broadcast the Lakers-Heat game; the network changed those plans Sunday and put a game with Golden State visiting Minnesota on the broadcast.
NBA reactions to the tragedy
“Pray for the city of Maui,” posted Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James on social media, in the midst of the tragedy as he watched a large number of properties consumed in various parts of the city.
“When people are losing their homes, kids are losing schools, losing lives, it’s very difficult to address the game of basketball because life is bigger than this. Hopefully we can bring some kind of joy with the game coming back tomorrow and some togetherness and try to put some smiles on people’s faces in difficult times,” said Clippers coach Tyronn Lue
Instead of spending the day before a game resting, Clippers’ Terance Mann planned to leave practice and search a warehouse for useful items: “I just want to give a lot of clothes, some money, shoes, whatever I can,” he said. “I’m going to help people and donate and drive around and do whatever I can to help.”
The Lakers and their donation campaign
The Lakers announced plans for a donation drive for their upcoming games, which will begin on Monday, asking fans to bring new items in the package to support the relief efforts of the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank.
The Los Angeles Lakers’ UCLA Health Training Center in El Segundo will begin operating as a drive-thru donation center on Tuesday, the team said. The Lakers said non-food items such as deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes, lotion, waterless shampoo, battery phone chargers, socks, mittens and gloves, hand warmers, hats and blankets are priorities.
As for food, the Lakers said donations of peanut butter and other nuts, protein-based snacks, peanut butter crackers, trail mix, fruit snacks, energy bars, wrapped tuna, wrapped chicken, 100% natural juice boxes, raisins and other dried fruits, UHT milk, individual cereal boxes, water and non-carbonated beverages are welcome.