Wildfires force sports cancellations

The six wildfires that have burned through a good portion of Los Angeles County have impacted the sports community. According to the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, more than 12,300 structures have been destroyed and 36,000 acres (35,999) have burned. 

With thousands of people fleeing for their lives and losing valuables, including their homes, the multiple fires have put the pause button on sporting events around the county. The Los Angeles Lakers called off their NBA game against the Charlotte Hornets, which was scheduled to be played on Jan. 8. 

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford at work during a team practice in Woodland Hills, California on Jan. 10, 2025. Photo credit: Melinda Meijer/News4usonline

The Lakers were also tasked to move its planned Jan. 11 game against the San Antonio Spurs due to the wildfires. In a released statement, the NBA along with the National Basketball Players Association are donating $1 million to the American Red Cross and World Central Kitchen and other organizations. 

The Intuit Dome, home to the Los Angeles Clippers, released a statement stating that the venue was moving several planned events to other calendar dates. The Jan.11 NBA game between the Clippers and Hornets has been postponed. 

“The LA Clippers game against the Charlotte Hornets at Intuit Dome has been postponed due to the ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles and out of respect for the public service resources needed during this time. The health and safety of our community and our fans remains our highest priority,” according to a statement released from Intuit Dome Media. 

 The NFL has not been immune from all of this. The Los Angeles Rams had their Wild Card playoff game against the Minnesota Vikings shift from SoFi Stadium to State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. The Rams play the Vikings on Jan. 13. 

“The safety of the Los Angeles community is our top priority, and our thoughts are with everyone affected by the fires in the area. We are grateful for the tireless efforts of first responders who continue to protect our city and community as well as individuals who continue to help our neighbors in need,” the team put out in a statement. 

Professional sports were not the only entities hit with cancelations. The Trinity Mission League Showcase, planned for Jan. 10, has been postponed to Feb. 1 at Intuit Dome.   

“We are grateful that all of the Trinity and Mission League schools have come together to make this decision,” said Tournament Director Dan Shell. “This is a devastating time for our community, and our main priority is ensuring the safety and well-being of everyone involved.”

UCLA center Lauren Betts (51) helps the Bruins pull off the upset against then No. 1 South Carolina on Nov. 24, 2024. Betts and the Bruins are now the No. 1 team in the country. Photo credit: Carlos Jones/News4usonline

On the college front, Northwestern has decided to not play its two women’s basketball games against UCLA (Jan. 12) and against USC (Jan.15). The Bruins offered the Wildcats the opportunity to play at a different venue which they declined. 

The UCLA women’s basketball team is scheduled to play Penn State on Jan. 15. Pepperdine University, which sits in the vicinity of Pacific Palisades, had its women’s basketball team postpone its Jan. 9 game against Portland.   

“Due to the ongoing Palisades Fire and restricted access to campus, the Pepperdine women’s basketball game against Portland originally scheduled for tomorrow, January 9 is postponed,” read a campus statement. 

Photo credit for lead image: Mark Hammond/News4usonline


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