Speaking for the first time since the Southern California wildfires forced him and his family to evacuate their home last week, LeBron James acknowledged Wednesday that the fires — which have burned through 60 square miles and killed at least 25 people — have taken a mental toll.
“I have a couple of dear friends that have lost their homes in the Palisades,” James said after the Los Angeles Lakers’ 117-108 win over the Miami Heat.
“Obviously, my heart goes out to all of the families, all across not only the Palisades, but all across L.A. County and all the surrounding areas because of the fire. … It’s been a lot of emotions. Kind of been off. Personally, I’ve been off.
“I’ve just been completely off for obvious reasons, but hopefully things are contained or continue to be contained.
“Hopefully, at some point, we can start to push forward and move forward and put it behind us and rebuild our city, rebuild this beautiful city.”
His team has also not looked like the group that was seemingly building momentum just a couple of weeks ago, winning eight out of 11 games and fortifying its roster by trading for a coveted 3-and-D wing in Dorian Finney-Smith
He scored 15 of his 22 points after halftime — including seven straight in the fourth quarter to stretch L.A.’s lead from two with 3:51 remaining to nine with 1:52 to go — and the Lakers held on to beat Miami.
“His comfort level closing the basketball game is obviously very high,” said Lakers coach JJ Redick — one of James’ friends who lost their homes in the Pacific Palisades.
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