Lakers' LeBron James Says Family Has Evacuated Home amid Los Angeles Wildfires

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James told reporters the ongoing Southern California wildfires have forced his family to evacuate their home.

"Personally, I've been off," James said following the Lakers' 117-108 win over the Miami Heat on Wednesday night. "Personally, my family, we've been evacuated since Thursday night, so I've been in a hotel since pretty much when we got back from Dallas. So, just figuring it out. But staying strong for one another. Obviously, that's most important."

James also said some friends of his lost their homes due to the wildfires, telling reporters:

"I have a couple of dear friends that have lost their homes in the Palisades. Obviously, my heart goes out to all of the families, all across not only the Palisades, but all across L.A. County and all the surrounding areas because of the fire. ... It's been a lot of emotions. Kind of been off. Personally, I've been off.

"... I've just been completely off for obvious reasons, but hopefully things are contained or continue to be contained. And hopefully, at some point, we can start to push forward and move forward and put it behind us and rebuild our city, rebuild this beautiful city."

Per Minyvonne Burke and Liz Kreutz of NBC News, officials said about 180,000 people in the Los Angeles area have had to evacuate their homes due to the wildfires, and thousands of structures have been destroyed.

It is confirmed that at least 25 people have died in the fires, but the true number of casualties remains unknown.

Lakers head coach JJ Redick spoke at length last week about losing his rental home in the fires and the impact of the devastation on his community:

The Lakers had to postpone scheduled home games against the Charlotte Hornets and San Antonio Spurs last week because of the wildfires, but they returned to action Monday in a 126-102 home loss to the Spurs.

L.A. shot just 44.8 percent as a team, and James struggled, posting 18 points in the one-sided loss to San Antonio.

However, the Lakers bounced back to shoot 52.2 percent in Wednesday's win over Miami with James recording 22 points, nine assists and five rebounds to help the Lakers improve to 21-17.