Lakers' JJ Redick says family evacuated due to L.A. wildfires

DALLAS --Los Angeles Lakers coach JJ Redick said members of his family were among those in Southern California forced to evacuate their homes Tuesday because of a wildfire that was being whipped by strong winds around Los Angeles.

The fire swept through a Los Angeles hillside where Redick lives alongside other celebrities, burning homes in Pacific Palisades and prompting evacuation orders for tens of thousands.

Before the Lakers took on the Mavericks in Dallas, Redick acknowledged the gravity of the situation affecting his family and neighbors.

"I just want to acknowledge and send thoughts and prayers to everyone in the Palisades right now," Redick said before the Lakers' 118-97 loss to the Mavericks. "That's where I live.

"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. From the sound of things, with the winds coming [Tuesday night], 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."

TNT reported on its broadcast that the Lakers' flight back to Los Angeles would be delayed. But the team said the flight was still scheduled for Tuesday night, despite the potential for smoke-filled skies in the L.A. area forcing alternate routes.

Officials did not provide an exact number of structures damaged or destroyed in the Pacific Palisades wildfire, but they said about 30,000 residents were under evacuation orders and more than 13,000 structures were under threat.

The blaze began around 10:30 a.m., shortly after the start of a Santa Ana windstorm that the National Weather Service warned could be life-threatening and the strongest to hit Southern California in more than a decade. The exact cause of the fire was unknown and no injuries had been reported, officials said.

The winds were expected to increase overnight and continue for days, producing isolated gusts that could top 100 mph in the mountains and foothills -- including in areas that haven't seen substantial rain in months.

Redick was not the only NBA coach whose family was affected. The Golden State Warriors were home Tuesday for a 114-98 loss to the Miami Heat, but coach Steve Kerr's thoughts were down south during his postgame media availability.

Kerr told reporters that his 90-year-old mother, Ann, was among the thousands of residents evacuated, adding that "I want to send my thoughts and condolences to everybody in Los Angeles dealing with the fires."

Kerr also said that Everett Dayton, in Golden State's player development department, grew up there, and had lost his family home in the picturesque area.

"Everything I'm seeing and reading is just terrifying what's happening down there," Kerr said, "so, just want to send thoughts to everyone who's going through the devastation of the fire. Obviously the game is secondary to that and to many things in life. Perspective is important."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.br/]