Clippers Star Kawhi Leonard Leaves Team to Be with Family amid Wildfires: ‘Making Sure They’re Well’
The Los Angeles Clippers star was among a handful of NBA players and coaches whose families have been impacted by the Pacific Palisades Wildfires
Los Angeles Clippers star small forward Kawhi Leonard has temporarily left the team to tend to his family amid the deadly Pacific Palisades wildfires.
The destructive fires have killed at least five people in the Los Angeles County area as of Thursday and forced tens of thousands of people to flee their homes. Firefighters continued to battle the blaze Thursday morning, as the Associated Press reports that fierce winds that fanned the flames for several days are now dying down.
Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue told reporters Wednesday afternoon that Leonard, 33, had been excused from the team in order to help his family amid the tragedy.
“You definitely have to take care of home. … Totally had my support 100%,” Lue said prior to the team’s game Wednesday night, according to ESPN. “Going back, checking on his family and kids, making sure they’re well. And he got back, and they’re doing okay, so just happy and thankful for that.”
NBA Insider Chris Haynes reported that Leonard’s family was among those who were forced to evacuate from their home. Leonard and his longtime girlfriend Kishele Shipley, who met while in college at San Diego State University, shared two children together: daughter Kaliyah and a son born in 2019.
The Clippers were playing an away game in Denver, which they lost 126-103. The Los Angeles Kings, the city’s NHL team, had been forced to postpone its home game Wednesday night against the Calgary Flames due to the wildfires.
