+34Acting coach Mitch Johnson said whatever challenges Spurs have faced the last several days 'pale in comparison' to what victims of the fires are going through.
LOS ANGELES – Acting Spurs coach Mitch Johnson didn't want to hear questions about any challenges the team may have faced the past several days. Not with so many people in the Los Angeles area mourning the loss of life, property and valuables caused by historic wildfires.
'They've been great in the sense they've been very understanding that we pale in comparison to what's really going on out here,' Johnson said of the players, 'so it almost feels silly to think we're going through anything but a little bit of a schedule change. 'All of our thoughts and prayers and energy has been for the people of Los Angeles and all this going on out here, and the guys have been just very mature in their approach and understanding of that.' Johnson's comments came after he oversaw an hour-long practice at Crytpo.com Arena on Saturday morning while the Spurs awaited word from the NBA about the status of their game against the Lakers on Monday. With wildfires continuing to ravage the Los Angeles area, the NBA announced late Friday night it had postponed Saturday's Spurs-Lakers game. It's the first postponed Spurs game since Dec. 29, 2021 when a COVID-19 outbreak and injuries prevented the Miami Heat from fielding the required eight players to play the game. Spurs CEO R.C. Buford said in a statement the club 'fully' supported the decision. 'It’s beyond heartbreaking to see the widespread devastation across the Los Angeles community,' Buford said. 'Our thoughts remain with all of those impacted by the wildfires, from families who have experienced incomprehensible loss to the first responders who continue to bravely fight on the front lines.' That contest was one of two the NBA postponed late Friday. It also set aside a Los Angeles Clippers game against Charlotte slated for Saturday at the Intuit Dome. Friday's announcement raised the list of games postponed by the fires to three. The NBA also halted a Lakers-Hornets game scheduled for Thursday. The games were postponed so 'no resources would be diverted from efforts to combat the fires,' the league said in a statement. The NBA also announced it will donate $1 million to the American Red Cross, World Central Kitchen and other relief organizations to help victims of the disaster. 'The Los Angeles community is in our hearts,' the Lakers said in a statement. 'The Lakers look forward to getting back on the court soon, honoring LA's first responders and recognizing the heartbreak endured across our beloved community.' Dates for the rescheduled games will be announced at a later time. The fires have consumed about 56 square miles, an area larger than San Francisco, the Associated Press reported. Tens of thousands of people remained under evacuation orders and new evacuations were ordered Friday evening in an area that includes part of Interstate 405 after a flare up on the eastern side of the Palisades Fire. At least 11 people have been killed, according to the Los Angeles county medical examiner's office, the AP reported. The Spurs have faced several logistical challenges since their plane touched down in Los Angeles at around 4 a.m. Thursday after they lost at Milwaukee on Wednesday night. With fire encroaching on Santa Monica, the Spurs moved from their hotel in that city to one in downtown Los Angeles more than 30 miles away and far from any flames and smoke. They had been scheduled to practice at a high school gym in Santa Monica on Thursday, but those plans were scuttled after all schools in the area were closed. 'It's been honestly a fluid situation just because there's new stuff happening all the time, right?' Spurs forward Harrison Barnes said. 'We started in Santa Monica and then we ended up downtown and then the game was postponed last night, and we don't know what the next status of the game is, whether it's two games or one game or whatever. 'But I think guys have just understood the gravity of the situation, trying to see where they can help out and support people who are being affected and impacted by the fires while they continue to learn more information.' Should the NBA postpone Monday's game, the team's plan is to return to San Antonio as quickly as possible. Johnson said the uncertainty they are living with now is similar to what the NBA players, coaches and staffers experienced during the pandemic. 'It's definitely probably the closest feeling just in terms of uncertainty,' he said. 'Not sure what your schedule's going to be. Not sure if you're traveling today, playing tomorrow, staying for a couple more days.' Several members of the NBA family have been affected by the fires. Lakers coach JJ Redick's rental home in Pacific Palisades reportedly was one of the 5,300 structures in that area lost in the biggest of the fires. Clippers star and former Spur Kawhi Leonard has left his team to be with family members who were forced to evactuate. Golden State Warriors coach and former Spur Steve Kerr said he lost his childhood home in Palisades. Kerr said his 90-year-old mother, Ann, is safe after evacuating. In addition to games paused by the NBA, several other pro and college games have been either postponed or moved out of the area, including the Los Angeles Rams' playoff game with the Minnesota Vikings, which will take place Sunday in Glendale, Ariz. The Spurs also have been touched personally by the disaster. “It’s definitely scary, everything that is going on,” Spurs point guard Chris Paul, who has raised his family in LA since his days with the Los Angeles Clippers, told reporters in Milwaukee. “I’m sending so much love and prayers to some of my closest friends and family who have lost everything.” Paul’s wife and two children evacuated their home Tuesday, fleeing to a hotel in a safer part of Los Angeles. A Spurs spokesman said Paul's home has survived so far. Johnson said the Spurs have rallied around Paul during the difficult time. 'I know there's been a couple guys that went to his house, spent some time with them,' Johnson said. 'We've been very open as an organization with everybody that if their families or any loved ones and people they know are going through things that is a priority over basketball. And hopefully when we do have some basketball like practice today, that can be just a little bit maybe of a sanctuary for these guys to get a little bit of normalcy.' Johnson said his mother, who lives in Santa Barbara about 95 miles north of LA, is safe. 'It's really hard to contain and control these fires and we are just very grateful and thankful in prayers for the first responders and everybody that's trying to help contain and get this stuff under control,' he said. Barnes said he and his teammates have tried to keep things in perspective. 'Prayers for all people affected in this area with the fires,' he said. 'A lot of people lost homes, been displaced, been affected by it. ... We're extremely blessed and privileged to be in our situation.' Having played for years in Sacramento, Barnes is no stranger to California wildfires. 'We've experienced this a few times and it's devastating,' said Barnes, whose wife is from Northern California. 'You want to give credit to all the firefighters, all the people who are first responders who are out there doing the work.'
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