Kawhi Leonard has stepped away from the Clippers to be with members of his family, who were forced to evacuate their homes with the inferno raging across southern California, according to multiple reports on Wednesday.
Leonard will miss a matchup in Denver after flying back to Los Angeles.
The Post has previously reported that some 30,000 Californians have been forced to evacuate their homes due to the wildfires, which broke out Tuesday.
As of Wednesday, wind gusts up to 100 mph had spread the flames over more than 2,900 acres (4.5 square miles), and local authorities are now fighting four major distinct fires.
According to reports, the fire has claimed at least two lives.
The chaos prompted California Gov. Gavin Newsom to declare a state of emergency, and the major North American sports leagues are each monitoring the situation, too.
Wednesday night’s matchup between the Kings and the Flames, which would have been played at Crypto.com Arena in downtown Los Angeles, has been postponed by the NHL.
Additionally, the NFL is monitoring the situation with the Rams-Vikings wild card round game scheduled for Monday in Los Angeles.
“The NFL continues to closely monitor developments in the area and will remain in contact with both clubs and the NFLPA,” the league said.
On Tuesday, Lakers coach JJ Redick revealed to reporters his family evacuated the area before his team lost to the Mavericks in Dallas.
“Our family, my wife’s family, my wife’s twin sister, they’ve evacuated,” he said. “I know a lot of people are freaking out right now, including my family. From the sound of things, with the winds coming (Tuesday night), I know a lot of people are scared. So I just want to acknowledge that. Thoughts and prayers for sure, and hope everybody stays safe.”
Leonard, a six-time All-Star and two-time NBA champion, is in his 13th professional season.
The 33-year-old guard has played in only two games thus far for the Clippers in 2024-25 due to right knee inflammation, which he’s been rehabbing for months.
Leonard previously missed the Clippers’ final eight regular season games in 2023-24 and four of six playoff games because of the inflammation.
Knee injuries have handicapped the star for major portions of his career, particularly in Los Angeles.
An ACL tear sidelined Leonard for the entirety of the 2021-22 season, and his 2023 playoff run with the Clippers was cut short by a meniscus injury.