Clippers’ Ty Lue on Kawhi Leonard during the LA wildfire scare: "He’s been good"
After taking a recently excused absence to attend to his family during the wildfires that have swept part of Los Angeles, LA Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard practiced on Sunday and impressed the team with his positive spirits.
“He’s been good,” Clippers coach Tyronn Lue said. “Tough situation for him and things he had to go through with his family and his house situation. We’re here to support him. Not only Kawhi, but everyone in the community that needed the help. We’re going to help and support. We’re really doing our best to be able to do that.”
Lue declined to specify on whether Leonard or his family members lost their home in Pacific Palisades, saying, “you have to talk to him about that.”
Leonard did not speak to reporters after practice on Sunday, but his participation is notable for reasons beyond preparing for when the Clippers (20-17) plan to play the Miami Heat (20-17) on Monday at Intuit Dome. Leonard missed the Clippers’ loss to the Denver Nuggets last Wednesday to be with his family a day after wildfires swept the Pacific Palisades area where he lives. Reports say that almost 24,000 acres have burned in the area and 11% of the region has since been contained.
“I know Kawhi had left the team for that game to check in on his situation. But we didn’t really hear from him,” Clippers forward Terance Mann said. “It’s good to see that him and his family are doing good.”
After missing the first 34 games while rehabbing inflammation in his right knee, Leonard made his season debut in the Clippers’ win against the Atlanta Hawks on Jan. 4. Then, he scored 12 points while shooting 4-for-11 from the field and 3-for-5 from 3-point range along with three rebounds, two turnovers and a steal in 19 minutes. Leonard then posted eight points on a 3-for-11 clip in 20 minutes in Minnesota on Jan. 6. Leonard returned to LA from Denver.
“I stayed close to him. I heard he’s fine,” Clippers forward batum-reviews-kawhi-leonard-s-return-james-harden-s-play-absence-exclusive" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-is-sponsored="false">Nicolas Batum said. “I asked him. He said he’s fine so far. We’ll be okay.”
When are the Games in LA slated to resume?
After the NBA postponed the Clippers’ game against the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday, the Clippers said the NBA has since relayed that it plans to proceed with the Clippers playing Miami on Monday. The Clippers also have a home game scheduled against the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday before playing in Portland on Thursday.
“It’s a tough time for all of us. So just trying to practice these last couple of days and trying to clear our mind as much as we can,” Lue said. “We know it’s a tough situation. Tough moments for a lot of guys. We’re just trying to fight through the best way we can.”
Easier said than done.
Leading into Wednesday’s game in Denver, Batum said he texted and called his family for updates on their home at an undisclosed location in the Valley. He did the same thing at halftime. Batum added he struggled to sleep that night amid uncertainty about his home. Since then, Batum said that “for now, we’re good.”
“Two or three days ago, we were very, very very close,” Batum said. “So we started packing. We had four cases packed already in case we had to get out of here. But for now, we’re fortunate to be safe for now. Hopefully it stays like that.”
Lue said there have been people within the organization that have been affected by the wildfires and conceded the possibility that some lost their homes. But Lue didn’t offer specifics. Mann added that he initially felt “a little bit worried” about his home in the Valley, but believes that he “should be good.”
Has that made it hard for the team to focus?
“To be honest, yeah,” Mann said. “People are still barely getting sleep. Some guys lost power. Some guys got family stuff to figure out. Some people’s kids schools burned down. There’s a lot going on. So it’s bigger than basketball right now.”
Giving back
In the wake of the LA wildfires, the NBA and National Basketball Players Association plan to donate $1 million for immediate relief to the American Red Cross, World Central Kitchen and other organizations to support people and businesses affected by the disaster. They also plan to work with the Lakers and Clippers on various long-term rebuilding efforts.
Following Sunday’s practice, Mann planned donate items around the area.
“I just want to give a lot of clothes and some money, shoes, whatever I can,” Mann said. “Whatever people need help with, I’m going to look to do right now.”
Mark Medina is an NBA insider for Sportskeeda. Follow him on X, Blue Sky, Instagram, Facebook and Threads.