The NBA has officially postponed the game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Charlotte Hornets, originally scheduled for this Thursday at the Crypto.com Arena, due to the devastating wildfires impacting the Los Angeles area.

"The entire NBA family sends its thoughts and support to the Los Angeles community during this difficult time," the league stated in an official release. A new date for the game has not yet been announced.

A Crisis Affecting More Than Sports

The decision to delay the NBA matchup follows a similar move by the NHL, which postponed the game between the Los Angeles Kings and the Calgary Flames at the same venue the previous day.

The wildfires have wreaked havoc across Los Angeles and its surrounding areas, with five active blazes having already consumed approximately 11,770 hectares (29,080 acres), according to the latest data from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire).

The most destructive blaze, known as the Palisades Fire, began on January 7 in a Los Angeles neighborhood and has already scorched an estimated 6,975 hectares (17,234 acres). Authorities have yet to contain the fire, further escalating the challenges faced by the region.