Kawhi Leonard, the star player for the Los Angeles Clippers, left the team to return to Los Angeles and be with his family, who had to evacuate due to the ongoing wildfires in the area. Coach Tyronn Lue confirmed this on Wednesday, expressing full support for Leonard’s decision to prioritize his family’s safety during the crisis. Leonard’s return home came ahead of the Clippers’ game against the Denver Nuggets, which they ultimately lost 126-103.
Tyronn Lue spoke about Leonard’s situation before the game, emphasizing the importance of taking care of family and home. He reassured reporters that Leonard’s family was safe, adding that Leonard had gone back to ensure the well-being of his loved ones. The coach expressed relief that Leonard’s family was doing OK after the evacuation, and the team supported Leonard’s choice to address the urgent situation.
The wildfires, particularly the Palisades Fire in Los Angeles, have caused massive devastation, with tens of thousands of people evacuated. The fire has scorched more than 11,800 acres in the Pacific Palisades area and destroyed over 1,000 structures. Leonard, who purchased a home in the Pacific Palisades in 2021, was personally affected by the fire’s proximity to his residence.
Before this interruption, Leonard had recently made his season debut for the Clippers on January 4 after recovering from knee surgery. He had been sidelined due to inflammation in his right knee, but he managed to play in two games before the situation with the wildfires arose. Leonard had been averaging 10 points per game in 20 minutes of play, and his absence was notable in the loss to the Nuggets.