Increasing Death Toll Brings Dwyane Wade, Larsa Pippen, & More Together in Prayer for Palisades Wildfire Victims

Southern California is facing a nightmare as three raging wildfires, driven by relentless Santa Ana winds, spread destruction and fear. The Los Angeles area has been hit hard, forcing thousands of residents to evacuate. Homes have been abandoned, skies are choked with smoke, and the sense of urgency is palpable. Amid the tragic situation, the entities associated with the NBA have responded differently for the safety of those affected, Dwyane Wade, among them.

The Heat legend took to Instagram with a “Pray for California” caption in his IG story.

Dwyane Wade also shared a series of stories regarding the awareness of the LA fire. Meanwhile, Larsa Pippen also joined in, sharing visuals of the scene with a series of prayer emojis. Echoing a similar sentiment was Pau Gasol. He captured the gravity of the situation with an aerial shot of the fire, sharing his thoughts on Instagram.

“Thinking of all those affected in Los Angeles and California by the fires. And especially the family and friends of the victim,” he wrote. Thus offering a quiet yet powerful show of support for the affected communities. Meanwhile, for former NBA star Paul Pierce, the fires hit alarmingly close to home.

“I just pray for all of those who this fire is affecting. I don’t think people really understand the magnitude of it. Pretty much anywhere in la, you can see smoke up in the sky,” he said, emphasizing the widespread impact. Pierce also shared that evacuation warnings stretch across Palisades, Altadena, and the valleys.

“It’s a possibility I can get affected just paying close attention to the warnings. It’s coming up behind the mountainside of where my house is,” the ex-Boston Celtics star said, urging others in the area to stay alert and ready to leave if needed.

Even as the flames rage, daily life has been disrupted as Gil’s Arena announced the postponement of its show. “We are postponing today’s show due to the Los Angeles Fires. Prayers go out to everyone who has been affected. Stay Safe LA.”

Shaqir O’Neal, meanwhile, moved by the devastation, posted a reel showing the destruction along Pacific Coast Highway towards Malibu. He added a broken heart emoji to underline the tragedy. And Stephen Jackson echoed the sentiment, sharing a “Pray for California” reel on Instagram. His podcast, All The Smoke, also shared heartfelt prayers for everyone in danger.

Meanwhile, the Eaton Fire, one of the most aggressive blazes, has consumed 10,600 acres in the Angeles National Forest, Altadena, and Pasadena. It has reportedly claimed five lives, left many injured, 200-500 buildings destroyed or damaged, and over 100 structures destroyed. Despite the efforts of over 500 firefighters, there’s still no containment, according to LACoFD Chief Anthony Marrone on CBS News.

JJ Redick and Steve Kerr’s families are among the many to be affected and evacuate

The relentless fires sweeping through California have left many families displaced, including those of prominent NBA figures JJ Redick and Steve Kerr. The Los Angeles Lakers head coach shared the unsettling news on Tuesday, revealing that his family had to leave their home in Pacific Palisades due to the advancing flames and thick smoke.

“I just want to acknowledge and send thoughts and prayers to everyone in the Palisades right now,” Redick said. “That’s where I live.” Despite the chaos, JJ provided a small sense of relief, confirming that his family, his wife’s family, and her twin sister had safely evacuated.

Redick and the Lakers, who were in Texas for a game against the Mavericks, faced additional disruptions as reports from TNT suggested a delayed flight back to Los Angeles. However, the team later clarified their plans to depart as scheduled.

Meanwhile, Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr also addressed the devastation, highlighting the personal toll it has taken on his family. His 90-year-old mother, a long-time Pacific Palisades resident, was among those forced to flee.

“I want to send my thoughts and condolences to everybody in Los Angeles dealing with the fires,” Kerr said. “My mom lives in Pacific Palisades. She had to evacuate.” Adding to the heartbreak, Kerr revealed that Everett Dayton, a Warriors staffer, lost his childhood home in the blaze.

As the flames continue to roar, the messages of support and warnings from these figures remind us of the fragility of life and the resilience of communities standing together in the face of disaster.