LeBron James, family forced to evacuate amid wildfires in Los Angeles area

The wildfires that continue to wreak havoc in the Los Angeles area have forced LeBron James and his family to evacuate their home.

The four-time NBA champion confirmed to reporters that he was temporarily staying in a hotel that made him feel “lost.” James talks about how he felt when he found out some of his friends had lost their homes.

“There were a lot of emotions,” James said at a news conference. “I have two dear friends who lost their homes in the Palisades. Obviously, my heart goes out to all the families in (Pacific) Palisades, but there was a lot of emotion in LA County and all the surrounding areas because of the fire and things of that nature.

“Personally, I’m out of a job,” he added. “Personally, my family, we’ve been evacuated since Thursday night. So, I’ve been in a hotel since we got back from Dallas. So, just to figure it out. But being strong for each other. Obviously, that’s important.”

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

James spoke after the Lakers’ 117-108 win over the Miami Heat on Wednesday. James, 40, finished the game with 22 points and 9 rebounds.

RAMS’ MATTHEW STAFFORD RECOGNIZES ‘PLAYING FOR PEOPLE BACK HOME’ AMID LA WILDFIRES

This isn’t the first time the James family has been displaced by a fire. In the year In 2019, the family was evacuated after a brush fire broke out near the Getty Center in the Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles. James lives in Brentwood.

James gave updates on it Social media feed at the moment. He talked about some of the differences between the situation the family faced five years ago and what they are fighting now.

“We had that experience and were able to lean on that a little bit,” James said. “The difference between the 19th and today was midnight on the 19th, so we had to go right away. We had a little more time before we had to evacuate so we managed to get some. Things, some items or whatever the case may be, some things that meant something to us.

“But our house has certainly not been touched since we left, but it still stands and we are grateful for that. We hope it will continue to stand. We are patiently awaiting the time when we will be allowed to return to it. Be as one under our house.”

James said his position as a professional athlete comes with a responsibility to give fans and the community at least a brief respite from what people in the region are facing.

“It’s definitely our job to know we still have work to do,” James said. “We have to focus on our work, but we still have to be human and understand what real life is about. I hope we go on the floor and play the way we played tonight — not the way we played against San Antonio — but the way we played tonight and the next few.” Whether it’s months or years, until the city returns, we as the Lakers franchise and the players who are playing for the Lakers give hope And pride and joy and things of that nature.

Click here to access the FOX NEWS app

“Sports has always given people a chance to temporarily forget everything they’ve been through. And we’re a big part of the LA community — along with a lot of other sports teams, but we know how important it is. The Lakers are for the community — hopefully we can provide that to more families.”

The NBA postponed the Lakers’ home games on Jan. 9 and Jan. 11 because of wildfires. The Lakers were off on Thursday but will be back in action on Friday when they host the Brooklyn Nets.

Follow Fox News Digital’s Sports coverage by Xand subscribe Fox News Sports Huddle Newspaper.