Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick confirmed this week that his family’s home was destroyed in the recent wildfires ravaging Southern California. The wildfires have caused widespread devastation, claiming the lives of at least 11 people, and forcing 153,000 residents to evacuate their homes.
The fire hit Redick’s rented house on Tuesday while the Lakers were away in Dallas. His wife, Chelsea, and their two sons were safely away from the area at the time, but Redick was left heartbroken after visiting the site on Wednesday, 8th January to witness the full extent of the damage.
Emotional Impact of the loss
Reflecting on the traumatic experience, Redick described the devastation in stark terms. “I’m not sure I’ve wept or wailed like that in several years,” he admitted. “I was not prepared for what I saw. It’s complete devastation and destruction. I had to go a different way to the house, but I went through most of the village, and it’s all gone. I don’t think you can ever prepare yourself for something like that. Our home is gone.”
A Family’s Heartbreaking loss
Redick and his family had been renting a home in the Pacific Palisades area while deciding where to settle permanently in Los Angeles. He expressed the emotional weight of losing nearly two decades’ worth of memories. “Everything that we owned that was of any importance to us in almost 20 years together as a couple and 10 years of parenting was in that house,” Redick said.
Despite the material loss, Redick emphasized the emotional impact. “There are certain things that you can’t replace, that will never be replaced. The material stuff is whatever. My family and I were processing the self side, the individual side, of losing your home, and you don’t ever want to wish that on anybody. It’s an awful feeling to lose your home.”
Lakers’ schedule affected by fires
While Redick is back at work with the Lakers, the team’s schedule has been affected by the ongoing wildfires. The Lakers’ match on Saturday, 11th January against the San Antonio Spurs has been postponed, as was their previous game against the Charlotte Hornets.
In addition to the NBA, the NFL also adjusted its schedule due to the fires. The Los Angeles Rams’ wild-card playoff game against the Minnesota Vikings, originally set to be held in Los Angeles, has been moved to Arizona.