Santa Ana winds have long been a harbinger of trouble in Southern California, where their ferocious gusts can ignite and spread wildfires that leave devastation in their wake.
As flames roared through neighborhoods and hundreds of thousands of people were forced to evacuate this week, Los Angeles, a city known for its resilience, found its sports community deeply connected to the unfolding tragedy.
From postponed games to evacuated players and heartfelt expressions of support, the impact of these fires extends far beyond the fields, courts, and arenas. The marriage of sport and crisis reflects the city’s fortitude in the face of unimaginable loss.
Rams wild-card game postponed amid safety concerns
The Los Angeles Rams, who were scheduled to play the Minnesota Vikings in the NFL Wild Card Round, found themselves trying to adjust to the reality of the fire.
The game was originally scheduled to be held at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, but was moved to State Farm Stadium in Arizona. Although SoFi is outside the immediate fire zone, this decision was made in consultation with public officials and the NFLPA and was a precautionary measure to prevent smoke and ash from permeating the air throughout the area.
Rams head coach Sean McVay expressed optimism earlier this week that the game would be played at SoFi despite smoke billowing at the team’s practice facility in Woodland Hills. βWe are ready to adapt, but our hearts are with our community,β McVeigh said.
Lakers and Kings postpone game, players evacuated
The lights were supposed to shine brightly at Crypto.com Arena during the Lakers’ four-game homestand. Instead, Thursday’s season opener against the Charlotte Hornets has been postponed, with no alternative date announced. The team is facing turmoil on and off the court, along with its Crypto.com Arena roommates, the Los Angeles Kings, whose games have also been postponed.
Lakers head coach JJ Redick loses Pacific Palisades home
Lakers coach JJ Redick, whose Pacific Palisades home was reduced to ashes, shared an emotional message. “The family was evacuated safely, but the loss is staggering. My thoughts are with everyone affected,” he said. The wildfires brought personal grief to Reddick and others and served as a poignant reminder of the fragility of normalcy.
The tragic fire in Los Angeles affected many people, including head coach JJ Redick and other Lakers officials who lost their homes. ππ½ https://t.co/fTbO0NEgST
β Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 9, 2025
LAFC legend Carlos Vela and Angel City FC’s Ali Riley lose their homes in Palisades fire
The tranquil Malibu retreat of celebrated MLS Cup champion and former league MVP Carlos Vela was reduced to ashes in the Palisades fire. Berra wasn’t the only Los Angeles soccer player to lose his home in the Palisades fire. Earlier in the day, Angel City FC defender Ali Riley also announced that his home in Pacific Palisades was destroyed.
Bella’s wife, Saioa Canibano, shared the heartbreaking news on social media, confirming that although their home near the Malibu-Palisades border was lost, the family was safe.
“Yesterday, our beautiful home in Malibu burned down. It’s hard to process everything that’s going on.” She assured those who wish for the safety of their families and those affected by the fire. Sharing his thoughts, he wrote: “It’s devastating and scary to see everything go up in flames. I send my love to everyone affected and hope the fire is extinguished soon.”
The Vera family lost their Malibu home in the Palisades fire.
It’s such a terrible situation. Myself and my family are currently evacuated. I hope everyone is staying safe outside ππ½ pic.twitter.com/qNnO9hi3II
β LAFC π (@LAFC_X) January 9, 2025
Clippers superstar Kawhi Leonard withdraws from team due to wildfires
Across town, Clippers star Kawhi Leonard is temporarily away from the team to support his family who are evacuated by the fire. His absence highlights the human cost behind the headlines as iconic athletes on the court navigate personal crises along with the cities they represent.
Kawhi Leonard leaves Clippers with family forced to evacuate due to Los Angeles area fires and misses Wednesday’s game against Denver https://t.co/f094VGa6w1
β Curt Helin (@basketballtalk) January 9, 2025
Chargers lead relief efforts
As the Chargers prepare for a playoff showdown with the Houston Texans, their focus isn’t just on football. The team has pledged to donate $200,000 to firefighting and recovery efforts, supporting organizations such as the American Red Cross and the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation. They also collect supplies at fan events and rally the community to support displaced families and save animals.
βWe are currently facing an unprecedented situation that we don’t think can get any worse as we are currently dealing with multiple fires across the region, but at the same time we are making sure our community is in the best possible condition. We’re seeing that happen,” Chargers board chairman Dean Spanos said. “The courage, selflessness, bravery, sacrifice, and compassion shown by our first responders, Good Samaritans, friends, family, and neighbors over the past 24 hours has been equally amazing. Our hearts go out to them. Our thoughts are with everyone who has been evacuated from these fires, with the firefighters,” and with our police officers and frontline workers who are risking their lives to keep us safe, and with these incredible Those among us who stepped up to help each other in times of need. β
A common struggle beyond the sports world
The ripple effects of the wildfires extend beyond the team in Los Angeles. Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr, whose 90-year-old mother was evacuated from the Pacific Palisades, spoke emotionally about his childhood home and high school destroyed in the fire. “Perspective is important,” Kerr said. βWhen communities face devastation like this, basketball takes a backseat.β
Kerr also said Warriors assistant coach and video coordinator Everett Dayton has also lost his place in Pacific Palisades.
“Everything I see and read is just horrifying,” Kerr said of the Los Angeles wildfires. βI just want to send my thoughts to everyone who is experiencing the devastation of the fires.β
Hidden hill on high alert
The Hidden Hills neighborhood, home to many athletes including former Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald and quarterback Matthew Stafford, remains under an evacuation order due to the Kenneth Fire. For residents, the proximity of the flames serves as a chilling reminder of nature’s unpredictability.
unity in adversity
As the fires rage, the Los Angeles sports community – players, coaches, fans and teams – has come together to support each other. From postponed games to fundraising campaigns, the collective response shows the enduring power of sport to unite and heal.
As the flames carve scars across the landscape, it also reveals the fortitude of a city that knows how to fight back. Los Angeles may be hurting, but its heartbeat remains steady, pulsating with the hope and resilience of its people and team.
