Typically, NBA teams do what they can to combat distractions. On Monday, the Lakers couldn’t have been happier to have one.
LeBron James and Anthony Davis had to evacuate their homes. JJ Redick lost his. Reconstruction hasn’t even started yet; a new gust of wind keeps the red-colored parts of the city on edge.
But Redick, one of the most public faces of these fires, knew this would be a chance to think about something else, however temporary that might be.
“I think a group functions best when you draw strength from each other. And the way my players, my staff, the organization has supported me and rallied around me – obviously the city has supported me – loved my family, there’s real strength in that. And that is the kind of receiving power. Then our job is to give strength, to give hope and joy,” Redick said before the game. “Sports are many things and certainly sports can provide an escape and distraction and hopefully sports, and tonight, can provide some joy as well.”
Read more: Lakers coach JJ Redick vows to help rebuild LA after losing his home to fire
Through that lens, this was all a success: Fans enjoyed the moments when James and Davis tried to solve Victor Wembanyama’s 8-foot frame after fires postponed the Lakers’ last two games.
However, the distraction of the outside world, the actual game, once again exposed some of the Lakers’ problems within the basketball world, a team once again attacking them with more physicality and power, while the Spurs deflated the crowd and a 126-102 shot victory. , the third loss in a row for the Lakers.
Davis and James combined for 48 on 20-of-29 shooting, but the Lakers’ supporting cast struggled. Austin Reaves became the target of the Spurs offense after they pulled Davis off the edge. They pushed and pushed through Rui Hachimura and Max Christie.
And the Lakers offered little fight in return.
The loss came when their offense fell apart in the fourth quarter as the team scored just 13 points.
However, the trouble came late in the third, the Lakers up ten points before San Antonio blew them for ten straight points without Redick or the bench calling a timeout.
In addition to their first game back after the wildfire postponement, the Lakers continued with a planned celebration of their past.
At halftime, the team retired Michael Cooper’s number 21, the highlight after Cooper’s career earned him a spot in the Basketball Hall of Fame class of 2024.
Magic Johnson, James Worthy, Jamaal Wilkes, Norm Nixon, Byron Scott and Pat Riley were among the former Lakers present at the ceremony.
Cooper had been part of some of their celebrations; this was his turn.
“I’ve always tried to play the game the right way. And it’s such a good feeling that people recognize that,” said Cooper. “Although I have always been on a team with a lot of megastars, I was sometimes overshadowed, but that didn’t bother me because it was about the body of work we put together and winning championships. So when it’s my turn, come up to the plate and get up here and stand alone on stage with everyone watching, that’s very, very good. Because again, like I said, this came out of nowhere.”
That party was one of the last few feel-good moments of the evening. But it wasn’t the last.
As the Lakers players left the court deflated, Redick walked to the center of the court where Wembanyama and Chris Paul gave Redick’s sons, Knox and Kai, their jerseys. The children lost some cherished memorabilia in the Palisades fire.
It was a reminder that the return to basketball was still difficult on Monday. But at least it was something again.
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This story originally appeared in the Los Angeles Times.