ESPN has adjusted the NBA schedule this week due to the ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles, according to report.
The devastating fires in Southern California have taken lives and forced more than 150,000 people to evacuate their homes.
As a result, the Los Angeles Lakers have had to postpone games while the fires continue to rage.
Last week, the Lakers canceled games against the Charlotte Hornets and San Antonio Spurs.
The team is still set to play the Spurs on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena.
Additionally, the Lakers are scheduled to face the Miami Heat at home on Wednesday at 10 p.m. ET.
Originally, the Heat game was going to be broadcast live on ESPN as part of their national TV double-header.
However, due to the uncertain situation with the fires, ESPN has adjusted its programming.
Instead, ESPN will air the Golden State Warriors vs. Minnesota Timberwolves game at 9:30 p.m. ET.
As a result, their 7:30 p.m. ET game has been moved to 7 p.m. ET.
This game will feature the New York Knicks vs. Philadelphia 76ers.
The Los Angeles Clippers also had to cancel their game against the Hornets on Saturday at the Intuit Dome.
A statement from the NBA explained, “The NBA, along with the Clippers and Lakers organizations, has been in contact with local officials in Los Angeles and Inglewood regarding the ongoing situation.
“The game postponements are meant to ensure that no resources are diverted from wildfire response efforts.”
In addition to the NBA adjustments, an NHL game between the Los Angeles Kings and Calgary Flames was also postponed this week.
Furthermore, Monday’s NFL playoff game has been relocated to State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
Lakers coach JJ Redick tragically lost his home in the fires and was visibly emotional.
Redick shared that his rented home was destroyed while he was away with the team for a game in Dallas on Tuesday.
“I don’t think I’ve cried or screamed like that in years,” Redick said.
“I wasn’t ready for what I saw. It’s total devastation. I had to take a different route to my house, and when I drove through the area, it was all gone.”
“It’s hard to prepare for something like this. Our home is no more.”
“Everything we had—important items from nearly 20 years together as a couple, and 10 years of raising kids—was in that house.”
“There are things that you just can’t replace. Material things don’t matter, but the personal loss is what we’re grappling with. It’s incredibly painful to lose your home.”
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