The NBA has postponed Thursday’s home game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Charlotte Hornets due to multiple wildfires burning in the greater Los Angeles area.

It was the second straight day that a game scheduled to be played in downtown Los Angeles has been postponed. The NHL’s Los Angeles Kings are scheduled to host the Calgary Flames on Wednesday night.

Rescheduled match dates will be announced at a later date. The Kings said tickets for their postponed game against Calgary will be valid for the rescheduled date.

At least five wildfires raged in Los Angeles, driven by winds of up to 100 miles an hour, killing five people and forcing 180,000 people to evacuate their homes.

The fire burned an area of ​​about 45 square miles (117 square kilometers), roughly the size of San Francisco. The Palisades Fire is already the most destructive fire in Los Angeles history.

Lakers coach J.J. Redick, who lives in the Palisades area, spoke about threats to his home before Tuesday’s 118-97 road loss to the Dallas Mavericks.

“I just want to send my thoughts and prayers to everyone in the Palisades right now,” Redick said at the time. “This is where I live. My family and my wife’s family, my wife’s twin sisters, they Already evacuated.

“I know a lot of people are scared right now, including my family. I know a lot of people are scared. So I just want to acknowledge that. I want everyone to be safe.”

“Our hearts are broken for Los Angeles,” the Lakers said in a statement on Thursday. “Our hearts are with everyone affected by this unimaginable situation. We are grateful to the first responders and those who are supporting us when we need it most.” All of us united with each other. “Los Angeles, we are with you. “

Lakers star LeBron James posted on social media earlier this week that he was “praying for everyone in the area.”

Vikings, Rams head to Los Angeles despite fire, but backup plans in place

The Minnesota Vikings’ wild-card playoff game against the Los Angeles Rams will still be played at SoFi Stadium in California, but contingency plans are in place due to the multiple ongoing wildfires around Los Angeles.

The Rams sent a statement to season ticket holders and fans Thursday morning reiterating that Monday night’s game remains as scheduled.

The NFL said Wednesday night that if the game must be moved, it will be played at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, home of the Arizona Cardinals.

In 2003, due to wildfires, the league moved the Monday night regular season game between the Miami Dolphins and San Diego Chargers to Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona.

The Rams and Los Angeles Chargers are both practicing in areas not threatened by fires, but both teams are monitoring air quality and its potential impact on practices.

The Chargers changed their practice schedule Wednesday to minimize players’ outdoor time in Coastal El Segundo.

The Chargers will travel to Houston after practice Thursday and play the AFC wild-card game against the Texans on Saturday.