Los Angeles wildfires: Vikings-Rams wild-card playoff moved, Lakers game postponed as coaches, athletes are impacted by fires
Several intense and destructive wildfires are raging in Southern California, fueled by the powerful Santa Ana winds. The evacuation orders, which include parts of the Los Angeles area, have killed 10 people and damaged or destroyed nearly 10,000 structures.
The fires, of course, are also impacting athletes and sporting events across the city.
NFL moves Rams-Vikings wild card game to Arizona
The NFL playoffs kick off with the wild-card round this weekend, and the Los Angeles Rams are set to host the Minnesota Vikings on Monday night. But the league announced Thursday that the game will now be played in the Arizona Cardinals’ stadium.
Advertisement
Los Angeles’ SoFi Stadium is located in Inglewood, which is about 10 miles southeast of where the Palisades fire is burning. The NFL said Thursday that the decision was made “in consultation with public officials, the participating clubs and the NFLPA.” The game will still take place on Monday night at 8 p.m. ET.
The league had originally planned to play the game as scheduled, but created the contingency plan due to the rapid evolution of the L.A.-area fires.
Earlier on Thursday, Rams head coach Sean McVay had said he expected the game to be played at SoFi Stadium.
However, smoke could be seen from the Rams’ practice facility in Woodland Hills, which is north of the Palisades fire, on Thursday.
The Cardinals provided jets to fly the Rams players and their families (and pets) to Arizona on Friday. The Rams have also secured buses to transport fans to Arizona for the game.
Advertisement
On Friday, the NFL announced a $5 million donation to relief efforts, including contributions from the Chargers, Rams, Vikings, Texans and NFL Foundation.
USWNT moves January camp to Florida in wake of fires
The U.S. women’s national team was supposed to hold its January camp in Los Angeles next week. The dual-purpose camp, which does not include any friendlies, will bring in 26 players to train with the USWNT team and an additional 24 U-23 players to train with the organization as part of a “Futures Camp.”
However, on Friday, U.S Soccer announced that the camps will be moved away from the L.A. area and instead will take place in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. The two concurrently-running camps were originally supposed to begin on Jan. 14, but the start date has been pushed back to Jan. 17.
Advertisement
The 50 total USWNT players will train at Inter Miami CF’s training center from Jan. 17-23. The USMNT is currently training there in preparation for a friendly against Venezuela on Jan. 18, but, per U.S. Soccer, the women’s camp will begin as the men’s ends.
Lakers, Kings games postponed
The Lakers were scheduled to start a four-game homestand on Thursday against the Charlotte Hornets, but that game has been postponed due to the wildfires. It will be made up at a later date. The Lakers’ next game is scheduled for Saturday against the San Antonio Spurs.
“The entire NBA family sends its thoughts and support to the community of Los Angeles during this challenging time,” an NBA statement read. “We are grateful for the thousands of local firefighters and first responders who have demonstrated enormous bravery. Our prayers remain with those affected by the unimaginable devastation caused by the wildfires.”
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Lakers coach JJ Redick, who lives in the Palisades, lost his home in the fires. On Tuesday, Redick said that his family had to evacuate their home due to the encroaching fire and smoke. Redick and the Lakers were not in Los Angeles at the time, but in Texas for a game against the Dallas Mavericks.
“I just want to acknowledge and send thoughts and prayers to everyone in the Palisades right now,” Redick said. “That’s where I live.
“Our family, my wife’s family, my wife’s twin sister, they’ve evacuated. I know a lot of people are freaking out right now, including my family. From the sound of things, with the winds coming [Tuesday night], I know a lot of people are scared. So I just want to acknowledge that. Thoughts and prayers for sure, and hope everybody stays safe.”
On Wednesday, the fires prompted the Kings to postpone that night’s home game against the Calgary Flames.
“Tonight’s game against Calgary has been postponed,” a Kings statement reads. “Our hearts are with the entire Los Angeles community. We appreciate the hard-working first responders who are diligently working to contain the fire and protect our community.”
Advertisement
They share Crypto.com Arena with the Lakers as their home arena. The Clippers are scheduled to return from a road trip to host the Hornets on Saturday at their new arena in Inglewood.
Chargers raise supplies, money for disaster relief, pet rescue
The Chargers announced on Wednesday that they are donating $200,000 across multiple organizations in support of the firefighting and recovery effort including the “American Red Cross, LA Fire Department Foundation, Team Rubicon and several pet rescue organizations sheltering animals displaced by the fires.”
The Chargers are also asking people who can to bring supplies to previously scheduled fan events ahead of their playoff game on Saturday. The Chargers are visiting the Houston Texans in the wild-card round.
Kawhi Leonard steps away from Clippers
Los Angeles Clippers star Kawhi Leonard stepped away from the team on Wednesday to be with his family that was impacted and evacuated due to the fires.
Advertisement
Further specifics on his situation are not yet known. The Clippers are set to take on the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena in Denver on Wednesday night. They will return home for Saturday’s scheduled game against the Hornets.
Leonard has played in just two games for the Clippers this season. He made his debut last week after a lengthy knee injury sidelined him this summer and into the first part of the season. It’s unclear how long Leonard will be away from the Clippers.
Steve Kerr’s family also affected
Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr has also been affected by the fires. His 90-year-old mother lives in Pacific Palisades and had to evacuate her home, and Kerr said on Thursday that his childhood home burned down, as did his high school. Kerr also told reporters that it appears Draymond Green’s home in the area survived.
“I want to send my thoughts and condolences to everybody in Los Angeles dealing with the fires,” Kerr said after the Warriors’ 114-98 loss to the Miami Heat on Tuesday. “My mom lives in Pacific Palisades. She had to evacuate.
“Everything I’m seeing and reading is just terrifying what’s happening down there,” Kerr said, “so just want to send thoughts to everyone who’s going through the devastation of the fire. Obviously the game is secondary to that and to many things in life. Perspective is important.”
Kerr also said that Everett Dayton, who works for the Warriors in their player development department, grew up in Palisades and has lost his childhood home.
