Luka Doncic Foundation donates $500,000 to California wildfire relief

LOS ANGELES - New Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Dončić has not played in a game for his new team, but is already looking to help the Los Angeles community.

Luka Dončić donates $500,000 to wildfire relief

The Luka Dončić Foundation announced that it would be donating $500,000 to fire recovery efforts.

The foundation says they will work with local organizations to help rebuild play spaces destroyed by the fires.

Doncic was traded to the Lakers from the Dallas Mavericks earlier this month.

He is expected to make his debut for the Lakers on Monday night.

What they're saying:

Dončić shared a statement on social media about the donation:

It's been so sad to see and learn more about the damage from the wildfires since I landed in LA. I can't believe it and I feel for all the kids who lost their homes schools and the places where they used to play with their friends.

Today my foundation is donating $500,000 to immediate recovery efforts. I am committed to helping rebuild courts, playgrounds and fields that were destroyed, because every kid needs a safe place to play. 

To everyone affected by these fires: we're here to help, now and for the long haul.

Your new neighbor,

Luka

California wildfire recovery updates

The backstory:

It's officially been more than one month since the start of the deadly Eaton and Palisades fires in Los Angeles County. More than two dozen people have been killed, nearly 40,000 acres have burned and thousands of homes have been destroyed.

While the Eaton, Hughes, Palisades are fully contained, thousands continue the long road to recovery.

SoCal Edison has been hit with multiple lawsuits that allege its equipment started the deadly Eaton Fire in Altadena and surrounding areas. Company officials said this was likely the origin of the Hurst Fire in Sylmar. 

The Palisades Fire broke out on the afternoon of Tuesday, Jan. 7 as parts of Southern California were hit by powerful Santa Ana winds – the strongest to hit the area in over a decade, officials said.

The fire extended well over 23,000 acres in seven days, destroying homes and businesses across the Pacific Palisades and Malibu. The fire also forced evacuations across parts of LA County, including Bel-Air, Brentwood and Santa Monica.

The fire also destroyed the Pacific Palisades Charter High School and other schools in the fire's path. 

The cause of the fire remains under investigation. 

Is Luka playing tonight?

What we know:

Luka Dončić is expected to play against the Utah Jazz in Los Angeles on Monday night.

Dončić has not played since he injured his calf on Christmas Day. 

What we don't know:

We won't officially know if Luka will suit up until closer to gametime.

ESPN rearranged its schedule on Saturday to broadcast the Lakers game in anticipation of his debut, but Dončić sat out due to his injury.

Even if Dončić does play, we don't know how long he will be on the floor Monday night.

Because he has not played in over a month, he could be on a minutes restriction against the Jazz.

How to watch Luka Dončić's debut with the Lakers

• What: Utah Jazz at Los Angeles Lakers
• Where: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, California
• Time: 9:30 p.m. CT
• Network: ESPN
• Streaming: ESPN+, Disney+

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