Los Angeles Clippers star Kawhi Leonard is leaving the team to be with and help his family, who have been affected by the massive fires that have broken out in Southern California in recent days, according to NBA insider Chris Haynes.
Details about Leonard’s family are still unknown. It’s also unclear how long Leonard will be away from the Clippers. The team is scheduled to play the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday night at Ball Arena in Colorado. They return to Los Angeles on Saturday for a game against the Charlotte Hornets.
This week, multiple fires broke out in Los Angeles County amid an unprecedented wind event in the region with gusts of up to 100 mph. The Palisades fire in west Los Angeles had spread to more than 5,000 acres and destroyed more than 1,000 structures as of Wednesday morning, according to The Los Angeles Times. Two people died in the Eaton fire, which has burned more than 10,000 acres in Altadena and Pasadena. Tens of thousands of people have fled their homes across the province.
The Los Angeles Kings therefore postponed a game against the Calgary Flames on Wednesday evening. The Lakers, who share an arena with the Kings in downtown Los Angeles, begin a four-game homestand on Thursday. The Rams will also host a playoff game Monday night in Inglewood.
Lakers coach JJ Redick, who lives in the Palisades, said his family evacuated their home because of the fires. Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said his 90-year-old mother was also among those evacuated.
“Our family, my wife’s family, my wife’s twin sister, they’ve been evacuated. I know a lot of people are panicking right now, including my family,” Redick said Tuesday. ‘From the sound of things, with the wind coming [Tuesday night]I know a lot of people are afraid. So I just want to acknowledge that. Thoughts and prayers for sure, and I hope everyone stays safe.”
Leonard played just two games for the Clippers this season. The six-time All-Star made his return to the court last week, marking his first game since exiting the first round of the 2024 playoffs with a knee injury. He trained with the U.S. men’s national team last summer ahead of the Olympics, but later withdrew and underwent a knee procedure in the offseason. He had been recovering since then.
The Clippers, who have lost three of their last four, enter Wednesday night’s game with a 20-16 record.
