During the recent game between the Warriors and the Lakers in Los Angeles, NBA head coaches Steve Kerr and JJ Redick extended a warm welcome to the basketball players and staff from Palisades Charter High School. The Palisades Charter High School team had faced displacement due to a devastating wildfire that caused significant damage to their school and neighborhood last month.
For Kerr and Redick, the impact of the wildfire hit close to home. Kerr's childhood residence in Pacific Palisades was destroyed, and his 90-year-old mother had to evacuate. Similarly, Redick and his family lost their home in the same fire. Lakers owner Jeanie Buss also joined in to support the Pali High team during the game.
Kerr expressed his empathy for the Pali team, acknowledging the challenges they were facing after losing their homes. The coaches aimed to provide the team with a memorable evening to help them momentarily escape the recent hardships they had endured.
The Warriors, led by Kerr, gifted the Pali High team with shoes and Golden State merchandise, with Kerr playfully teasing about converting their loyalty to the Lakers. Redick, wearing a Pali High sweatshirt, also showed his support for the team and planned to spend time with them after the game.
Palisades Charter High School is currently closed as authorities search for a temporary location, with students transitioning to online learning in the interim. Kerr and Redick hoped that their gesture would offer a positive experience and a respite from the stress the team had been under in the past month.
During the game, the Pali High athletes and coaches were seated in the lower bowl of the Lakers' arena, witnessing an intense matchup between LeBron James and Stephen Curry. James delivered a stellar performance with season highs of 42 points, 17 rebounds, and eight assists, while Curry showcased his skills with 37 points and six 3-pointers.
