The NBA postponed the Los Angeles Lakers' home game against the Charlotte Hornets on Thursday due to wildfires raging in the greater Los Angeles area.
This is the second day in a row that a match scheduled to be played in downtown Los Angeles has been postponed. The NHL's Los Angeles Kings were scheduled to host the Calgary Flames on Wednesday night.
The date of the postponed matches will be announced at a later date. The Kings said tickets for their postponed game against Calgary will be good for the new date.
Lakers star LeBron James posted on social media about the wildfires
There are at least five wildfires burning in Los Angeles, fueled by strong winds of up to 100 mph, killing five people and asking 180,000 people to evacuate their homes.
The fires are consuming about 45 square miles (117 square kilometers), roughly the size of the city of San Francisco. The Palisades Fire is already the most destructive in Los Angeles history.
Lakers coach JJ Redick, who resides in the Palisades area, brought the threat home before Tuesday's 118-97 road loss to the Dallas Mavericks.
“I just want to pay tribute and send my thoughts and prayers to everyone in Palisades right now,” Reddick said at the time. “This is where I live. My family, my wife’s family and my wife’s twin sister have been evacuated.
“I know a lot of people are freaking out right now, including my family. I know a lot of people are scared. So I just want to acknowledge that. And I hope everyone stays safe.”
“We are heartbroken for Los Angeles,” the Lakers said in a statement on Thursday. “Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this unimaginable situation. Our gratitude is with the first responders and all those who come together when we need each other most.” “We're with you, Los Angeles.”
Lakers star LeBron James posted on social media earlier in the week that he was “praying for everyone” in the area.
Vikings-Rams prepare for Los Angeles despite fires but backup plan is in place
The Minnesota Vikings' playoff game against the Los Angeles Rams is still scheduled to be played at SoFi Stadium in California, but there is a contingency plan in place due to multiple ongoing wildfires around Los Angeles.
The Rams sent a statement to season ticket holders and fans Thursday morning confirming that Monday night's game will remain as scheduled.
SoFi Stadium is still expected to host the Minnesota Vikings' playoff game on Monday against the Los Angeles Rams.
The NFL said on Wednesday evening that if the game had to be moved, it would be held at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, home of the Arizona Cardinals.
In 2003, the league moved the Monday night regular season game between the Miami Dolphins and San Diego Chargers to Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona, due to wildfires.
Both the Rams and Los Angeles Chargers are practicing in non-fire threat areas, but both teams are monitoring air quality and its potential impact on their practices.
The Chargers changed their practice schedule Wednesday to limit their players' time outdoors in coastal El Segundo.
The Chargers will leave after practice on Thursday for Houston and their AFC wildcard matchup against the Texans on Saturday.
