LeBron James and his family continue to stay in a hotel after evacuating their home because of the wildfires that have engulfed the Los Angeles area for the past week.
They were among those forced to leave the upscale Brentwood community, and the Lakers star told reporters after the team beat the Miami Heat on Wednesday that they were hoping to return soon.
The rental home occupied by Lakers coach JJ Redick and his family in the Pacific Palisades area burned down, and James said he knows others who have been impacted.
“Our friends that lost their homes, just being there for them,” said James, who scored 22 points in 38 minutes in the Lakers’ 117-108 win on Wednesday. “It’s very challenging, especially when you got kids and you lose your home and all their belongings … it’s a lot to try to wrap your head around it. I’m very happy that my family is safe.”
Two Lakers’ home games were postponed last week because of the fires, and James admitted the events had affected him.
“Personally, I’ve been off,” James, 40, said. “Personally, my family, we’ve been evacuated since (last) Thursday night, so I’ve been in a hotel since pretty much when we got back from Dallas. So, just figuring it out. But staying strong for one another. Obviously, that’s most important.”
James said his home, thus far, is safe.
The Lakers are among a dozen pro sports teams in Los Angeles and Orange counties that have committed $8 million to support fire relief. At least 25 people have been killed in the fires, which have scorched more than 60 square miles and destroyed 12,000-plus structures, CBS News reported Thursday.
–Field Level Media
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