Episode Details

The Lakers will play basketball tonight at the Crypt, hosting the San Antonio Spurs. 

Broadly, it's a sign that officials believe they have a better handle on the still-burning fires in Los Angeles, because they're willing to have emergency personnee available for a game at LA Live (and another at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, with the Clippers hosting a home game of their own). It's been a trying week for everyone around the city, including Lakers players and team personnel. The home JJ Redick and his family have been living in since moving to LA burned down in the Palisades fire. LeBron James, like many residents of Brentwood, spent the weekend facing mandatory or potential evacuation. 

But there's simply no way the NBA would stage games unless they were told in no uncertain terms that the risk of diverting critical public safety resources was low. 

So now that they're back on the floor, what will it look like? The emotional toll in moments like this can be challenging. Obviously the arena will be a place of mixed emotions. People excited to see their team, hoping to have a moment where they're rallying for their city, a brief respite from the realities a few miles away, and more. The team will certainly honor those who have lost so much, and the first responders trying to protect them. There will be even more energy and celebration as Michael Cooper, one of the most beloved members of the Showtime Lakers, will finally have his jersey retired. 

It's a lot to pack into one night. 

But of course, what we see tonight is just the start of weeks, months, and years of recovery. One thing that is likely safe to say: While the Lakers don't always handle their basketball decisions, they almost always nail the moment in times like these. Whatever the team chooses to do will likely hit the right notes. And LeBron James, who was excellent helping lead the team and the community when the Lakers resumed play following the death of Kobe Bryant, will likely meet the moment as well. 

It's just one game, but it's likely a welcome sight for a lot of Angelenos. 

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