James and the Lakers have not played in Los Angeles as the fires have raged
LeBron James flirted with a triple-double on Tuesday night as the Los Angeles Lakers battled the Dallas Mavericks on the road — while trouble brewed back home in California.
While emergency workers struggled mightily to control wildfires blazing just outside of Los Angeles, James scored 18 points — two of them on a ferocious dunk — and hauled in 10 rebounds while dishing out eight assists as the Lakers suffered a 118-97 loss to the Mavericks. But it was clear that many of the Lakers’ players and coaches had their minds elsewhere as devastating fires raged outside LA.
Back on Nov. 20, James announced he was taking a break from social media, in response to negativity he saw on Instagram and X/Twitter following the 2024 presidential election in the United States.
However, James has since used social media to promote some of his various sponsorships while chiming in on trending sporting events — and on Wednesday, he took to X to reveal that he is praying for the fire victims.
Total destruction in Malibu. These were beachfront homes on Pacific Coast Highway. #palisadesfire pic.twitter.com/DhQnJMmoUW
— Liz Kreutz (@LizKreutzNews) January 8, 2025
As of Wednesday afternoon, the wildfires just outside of Los Angeles have killed two and forced more than 30,000 people to evacuate. Combined, the flames have swallowed up more than 15,000 acres of land while destroying thousands of businesses — and the LA County Fire Department does not have the requisite personnel to battle the growing fires.
Lakers head coach J.J. Redick offered some insight into the collective mindset of his team’s locker room when he spoke to reporters on Tuesday night, making LeBron‘s six-word social media post all the more appropriate considering the circumstances that few seem able to control.
“Our family, my wife’s family, my wife’s twin sister, they’ve evacuated. I know a lot of people are freaking out right now, including my family,” Redick told the media. “I know a lot of people are scared. So I just want to acknowledge that. Thoughts and prayers for sure, and hope everybody stays safe.”