Lakers, Clippers return to their home courts after days of fire devastation across Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Knox and Kai Redick are two basketball-obsessed kids who had amassed a big collection of NBA jerseys, trading cards and autographs thanks to their dad's careers as a shooting guard, a podcaster and the coach of the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Redick boys then lost their entire memorabilia collection in the catastrophic wildfires that burned down their family home and much of their neighborhood in Pacific Palisades last week.

After the San Antonio Spurs beat JJ Redick's Lakers on Monday night, Victor Wembanyama and Chris Paul sought out the Redick boys and presented them with their game jerseys.

“I didn’t know they were huge fans like this, but JJ is a person that I like and who was directly impacted by this,” Wembanyama said. “So if I can make those kids’ day, I’ll do it.”

The gesture put big grins on the faces of two boys who hadn't felt much like smiling lately.

And though the Lakers lost their first game back at work since catastrophic wildfires killed at least 24 people and destroyed significant sections of their hometown, they're hoping sports will help their city's return to normalcy after an awful week.

The Lakers and the Clippers both went back to work Monday night in Los Angeles’ first two NBA games since the fires devastated large parts of the area. The Lakers were beaten by the Spurs 126-102 in their downtown arena, while the Clippers beat the Miami Heat 109-98 in their brand-new Intuit Dome in Inglewood about 10 miles south of downtown.

Lakers big man Anthony Davis said he had to evacuate his family after the fires got close enough to see from his property.

“Obviously a tough time for our city, and one thing we found out through the course of COVID, sports kind of brings joy back to people, even if it's temporary,” Davis said. “We were eager to play basketball again in front of our fans. ... Definitely a tough situation in LA, and we appreciate everyone's support from around the world.”

Davis said he hopes to meet personally with first responders to offer thanks, and he's working on a way to thank them with tickets to a Lakers game.

JJ Redick also was grateful to get back to work.

“I think a group functions best when you draw strength from each other, and the way my players, my staff, the organization has supported, rallied around me, rallied around the city ... there's real strength in that,” he said. “That's the receiving of strength. Then it's our job to go give strength and give hope and give joy. Sports are a lot of things, and sports can certainly provide an escape and a distraction. Hopefully sports tonight can provide some joy as well.”

JJ Redick and Paul are close friends from their seasons together with the Los Angeles Clippers, with Redick saying the 20-year veteran is “like a brother to me.”

“He called me this afternoon and said, ‘Whether you win or we win, Vic and I are going to go over and give the boys our jerseys,’” Redick added. “It was nice of them to do it. They now each have two (jerseys), because Austin (Reaves) was nice enough to leave a couple for him in his locker after practice the other day. I appreciate all the love, and I’m not surprised Chris did something like that.”

The NBA postponed two home games for the Lakers and one home game for the Clippers last week while the fires still raged. The NFL also moved the Los Angeles Rams' wild-card playoff game to suburban Phoenix on Monday night, and Lakers fans greeted the highlights of the Rams' blowout victory over Minnesota with a big ovation when they appeared on the scoreboard.

Redick said a few of his players had been under evacuation warnings in recent days, and one couldn't make it to work on time because of activity around his home. Redick and his family lost almost everything they owned in their rented home.

“I've been overwhelmed with the amount of support and love and generosity that people have shown to me and my family, and really all families that have been affected by this,” Redick said.

The Lakers staged a donation drive outside their arena before they hosted the Spurs, accepting food and packaged personal items. The Lakers and Clippers were among 12 Los Angeles-area pro sports teams that announced Monday they will contribute more than $8 million combined for local relief efforts.

The Lakers displayed the message “Thank you first responders” on their scoreboard before the game and observed a moment of silence before point guard Gabe Vincent spoke to the crowd.

“On behalf my teammates, this organization, our hearts go out to all those who have been affected by this,” Vincent said. “We'd definitely like to give a shoutout to the first responders who are putting their lives on the line right now to protect our community. I think it's important at this time that we come together as a city, as a community, as a family, to help support those that are in need right now.”

The Clippers covered every seat at Intuit Dome with giveaway white towels featuring the words “LA Strong” and a blue image of the state of California.

“We’re so thankful for the first responders, but we ache for the victims," public address announcer Eric Smith said before the game. "The smoke will lift and they will return and rebuild, because this is LA. Today we all stand together (as) one team, one Los Angeles.”

The two teams' opponents also went through several days of uncertainty due to the wildfires.

The Spurs were supposed to play back-to-back games against the Lakers starting Saturday. The Heat, who will face the Lakers on Wednesday, didn't know if they would be allowed to head to Los Angeles last Saturday until after their game in Portland.

“We understand our responsibility," Miami coach Erik Spoelstra said. "We want to do whatever we can in this profession. We’re coming with great empathy and grace, and if our role is to provide entertainment and inspiration, then that’s our role. But while we’re doing that, we’re thinking about all the devastation and all people are dealing with. It’s just been horrible.”

AP Sports Writer Beth Harris in Inglewood contributed to this report.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA

Los Angeles Lakers guard Gabe Vincent comments on the wildfires during an NBA basketball news conference at the UCLA Health Training Center in El Segundo, Calif., Friday, Jan. 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

Signs announce the Los Angeles Lakers donation drive for California wildfires victims before an NBA basketball game against the San Antonio Spurs, Monday, Jan. 13, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)

San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama, center, warms up with signs announcing the Los Angeles Lakers donation drive for California wildfires victims before an NBA basketball game Monday, Jan. 13, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)

Jerseys with the number of former Los Angeles Lakers player Michel Cooper are left for fans on seats before an NBA basketball game between the Lakers and the San Antonio Spurs, Monday, Jan. 13, 2025, in Los Angeles. Cooper's No. 21 jersey will be raised into the rafters during halftime. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)

Los Angeles Lakers NBA basketball head coach JJ Redick, right, is hugged by guard Austin Reaves, left before talking to the media about the Pacific Palisades wildfire at a news conference in El Segundo, Calif., Friday, Jan. 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Buffalo Bills fans arrived early and lingered long after the game ended to bid what could be farewell to their long-time home stadium filled with 53 years of memories — and often piles of snow.

After singing along together to The Killers' “Mr. Brightside” in the closing minutes of a 35-8 victory against the New York Jets, most everyone in the crowd of 70,944 remained in their seats to bask in the glow of fireworks as Louis Armstrong's "What A Wonderful World” played over the stadium speakers.

Several players stopped in the end zone to watch a retrospective video, with the Buffalo-based Goo Goo Dolls’ “Iris” as the soundtrack while fans recorded selfie videos of the celebratory scene. Offensive lineman Alec Anderson even jumped into the crowd to pose for pictures before leaving the field.

With the Bills (12-5), the AFC's 6th seed, opening the playoffs at Jacksonville in the wild-card round next week, there's but a slim chance they'll play at their old home again. Next season, Buffalo is set to move into its new $1.2 billion facility being built across the street.

The farewell game evoked “a lifetime of memories,” said Therese Forton-Barnes, selected the team’s Fan of the Year, before the Bills kicked of their regular-season finale. “In our culture that we know and love, we can bond together from that experience. Our love for this team, our love for this city, have branched from those roots.”

Forton-Barnes, a past president of the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame, attended Bills games as a child at the old War Memorial Stadium in downtown Buffalo, colloquially known as “The Rockpile.” She has been a season ticket holder since Jim Kelly joined the Bills in 1986 at what was then Rich Stadium, later renamed for the team’s founding owner Ralph Wilson, and then corporate sponsors New Era and Highmark.

“I’ve been to over 350 games,” she said. “Today we’re here to cherish and celebrate the past, present and future. We have so many memories that you can’t erase at Rich Stadium, The Ralph, and now Highmark. Forever we will hold these memories when we move across the street.”

There was a celebratory mood to the day, with fans arriving early. Cars lined Abbott Road some 90 minutes before the stadium lots opened for a game the Bills rested most of their starters, with a brisk wind blowing in off of nearby Lake Erie and with temperatures dipping into the low 20s.

And most were in their seats when Bills owner Terry Pegula thanked fans and stadium workers in a pregame address.

With Buffalo leading 21-0 at halftime, many fans stayed in their seats as Kelly and fellow Pro Football Hall of Famer Andre Reed addressed them from the field, and the team played a video message from 100-year-old Hall of Fame coach Marv Levy.

“The fans have been unbelievable,” said Jack Hofstetter, a ticket-taker since the stadium opened in 1973 who was presented with Super Bowl tickets before Sunday’s game by Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield. “I was a kid making 8 bucks a game back in those days. I got to see all the sports, ushering in the stadium and taking tickets later on. All the memories, it’s been fantastic.”

Bud Light commemorated the stadium finale and Bills fan culture with the release of a special-edition beer brewed with melted snow shoveled out of the stadium earlier this season.

In what has become a winter tradition at the stadium, fans were hired to clear the stands after a lake-effect storm dropped more than a foot of snow on the region this week.

The few remaining shovelers were still present clearing the pathways and end zone stands of snow some five hours before kickoff. The new stadium won’t require as many shovelers, with the field heated and with more than two-thirds of the 60,000-plus seats covered by a curved roof overhang.

Fears of fans rushing the field were abated with large contingent of security personnel and backed by New York State troopers began lining the field during the final 2-minute warning.

Fans stayed in the stands, singing along to the music, with many lingering to take one last glimpse inside the stadium where the scoreboard broadcast one last message:

“Thank You, Bills Mafia.”

AP Sports Writer John Wawrow contributed.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Fans watch a ceremony after the Buffalo Bills beat the New York Jets in the Bills' final regular-season NFL football home game in Highmark Stadium Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)

Buffalo Bills cornerback Tre'Davious White (27) remains on the field to watch a tribute video after the Bills beat the New York Jets in the Bills' final regular-season NFL football home game in Highmark Stadium Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Orchard Park, N.Y.(AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)

Fans watch a ceremony after the Buffalo Bills beat the New York Jets in the Bills' final regular-season NFL football home game in Highmark Stadium Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)

Fans celebrate after the Buffalo Bills scored a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Fans celebrate and throw snow in the stands after an NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and the New York Jets, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Aga Deters, right, and her husband Fred Deters, walk near Highmark Stadium before an NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and the New York Jets, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Michael Wygant shoves snow from a tunnel before an NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and the New York Jets at Highmark Stadium, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Buffalo Bills offensive tackle Alec Anderson (70) spikes the ball after running back Ty Johnson scored a touchdown against the New York Jets in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

FILE - The existing Highmark Stadium, foreground, frames the construction on the new Highmark Stadium, upper right, which is scheduled to open with the 2026 season, shown before an NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and the New England Patriots, Oct. 5, 2025, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)

Salt crew member Jim Earl sprinkles salt in the upper deck before an NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and the New York Jets at Highmark Stadium, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)