Kawhi Leonard is leaving the LA Clippers permanently to help his family members evacuate due to the ongoing wildfires in the Los Angeles area, head coach Tyronn Lue told reporters on Wednesday.
“Of course you have to take care of the home. … I totally support you 100%,” Lue said. ‘I go back, check on his family and children, make sure they are healthy. And he’s back, and they’re going well, so I’m happy and thankful for that.”
The Clippers are currently on a road trip that started in Minnesota on Monday and will end in Denver on Wednesday. Their next home game is scheduled for Saturday at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, which is part of Los Angeles County.
The NHL on Wednesday postponed the Los Angeles Kings’ home game against the Calgary Flames at Crpyto.com Arena. The Los Angeles Lakers share that arena with the Kings and are scheduled to play the Charlotte Hornets there on Thursday.
The family of Lakers coach JJ Redick had to evacuate their home due to a fire, as did 90-year-old Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr.
Leonard, a native of LA, made his season debut in the Clippers’ win against the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday. He played 19 minutes and scored 12 points on 4-of-11 shooting from the field.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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