The Los Angeles Lakers head coach, JJ Redick, has confirmed that his family lost their home in the wildfire that swept through Pacific Palisades earlier this week.
Redick expressed his emotions for the first time on Friday after witnessing the devastation caused by the fire. He mentioned, "I'm not sure I've wept or wailed like that in several years."
He revealed that the rented home was destroyed while the Lakers were away playing in Dallas. Fortunately, Redick's wife, Chelsea, and their two sons were safe, but the loss of their home has deeply affected the family.
Redick drove through Pacific Palisades to assess the damage caused by the wildfire. He described the scene as "complete devastation and destruction," adding, "Our home is gone."
The family had been renting the home while deciding on a permanent residence in Los Angeles. Redick shared the sentimental value of the lost belongings, stating, "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."
Despite the tragedy, Redick and the Lakers are considering returning to the court to provide a distraction for the city. Teammate Austin Reaves expressed his sadness over the situation, highlighting the community's resilience.
While the city grapples with the aftermath of the wildfires, various sports events have been postponed, emphasizing the impact of the natural disaster on the local community.
The loss of JJ Redick's family home in the L.A. wildfires serves as a poignant reminder of the destructive force of nature. As the community bands together to overcome this tragedy, the resilience and support shown by the Lakers and other sports teams offer a glimmer of hope in challenging times.