“I know a lot of people are scared, so I just want to acknowledge that and thoughts and prayers for sure,” said Lakers HC JJ Redick as his family evacuated from the Palisades. From the shores of the Pacific to the streets of Pasadena, homes were reduced to ashes. It wasn’t just houses, though; entire blocks vanished… Grocery stores and banks? Leveled. One of these fires hit so hard that it made history as LA’s worst in modern times.

The Los Angeles Fire Department had to send out an urgent call, asking off-duty crews and even firefighters from other states to join the fight. The intense winds grounded water-dropping planes for a while, forcing everyone to watch the flames rage unchecked. By mid-morning, authorities ordered more than 52,000 residents in Altadena, La Cañada Flintridge, and parts of Glendale to evacuate. The fire had already torn through 10,600 acres, growing so fast it left entire neighborhoods scrambling.

The NHL had already called off the Los Angeles Kings-Calgary Flames game planned for Wednesday night. Now, Thursday’s Lakers-Hornets game at Crypto.com Arena might not happen either. On Wednesday afternoon, NBA spokesperson Mike Bass issued a statement, which ESPN’s Shams Charania shared. “We are in communication with the Lakers and Hornets and continue to closely monitor the situation to determine if any scheduling adjustments are necessary related to tomorrow night’s game,” Bass explained.

Amidst all this chaos, fans want the NBA to postpone the Lakers vs. Hornets match.

Fans prioritize players and staff safety over Lakers vs Hornets

One fan wrote, “JJ most likely lost his house man yall gotta reschedule”. It’s a fair point. How do you expect a coach to focus on basketball when his family is displaced, and his home might be gone? While he was kind enough to reassure people struggling with the wildfires, the emotional toll on Redick—and likely many others connected to the game—raises questions about ‘priorities’.

“Just cancel the game for now. We csnt have our glorious king Lebron be in any type of danger,” wrote another fan. While the comment carries a humorous tone, it touches on a valid concern about the safety of players and everyone involved. With the wildfire threatening air quality and the surrounding areas, it’s not just about the game—it’s about ensuring a secure environment for athletes, staff, and fans alike.

And the city of LA would riot, actually, the whole of America, if anything happened to LeBron James.

One netizen expressed concern, they wrote, “Reschedule it now! Why wait?!”. This sentiment is understandable—why prolong uncertainty when it’s clear the situation demands immediate action? Rescheduling the game, especially with the stakes so high, would not only address the pressing safety concerns but also demonstrate a proactive approach in handling unforeseen disasters.

In response to the ongoing wildfires, the Los Angeles Chargers are stepping up by donating $200,000 to relief efforts. Lakers should follow suit.

Fans are surprised how the game hasn’t been rescheduled yet. “Stop the game man,” wrote another fan. It’s an instinctual plea that comes from recognizing the bigger picture. The wildfires raging across Los Angeles aren’t just another natural disaster—they’re a real threat to lives and livelihoods. Kawhi Leonard‘s home was destroyed, and he’s with his family right now. Steve Kerr’s 90-year-old mother, Ann, was evacuated as well.

When something as monumental as this happens, honestly, no one should worry about whether the Lakers or Hornets will take the court that night.

“There is no sense to play a game in LA while city is on a crazy fire,” wrote another netizen. The safety of the city, its residents, and even the players should be the priority. The Palisades wildfires remind us that while we can postpone games and schedules, we can’t rebuild lives and communities in a day.