LOS ANGELES (AFP) — The Lakers and Clippers returned to National Basketball Association (NBA) action on Monday with a strong nod to the first responders battling the Los Angeles wildfires and hoping to bring “some joy” to their ravaged city.

The Lakers fell to the San Antonio Spurs, 126-102, at their Crypto.com Arena in downtown Los Angeles while the Clippers beat the Miami Heat, 109-98, at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood several miles south.

“Sports are a lot of things and sports can certainly provide an escape and a distraction,” said Lakers coach JJ Redick, who lost the home he shared with his wife and two sons when the Palisades fire erupted last week.

“Hopefully, sports tonight can provide some joy as well,” Redick said.

More than 90,000 people remained displaced Monday, seven days after multiple wind-driven blazes erupted.

At least 24 people have been killed and thousands left without homes, and authorities warned that winds forecast to intensify again on Tuesday could lead to “extreme fire behavior and life-threatening conditions.”

Two Lakers games and one Clippers game had been postponed before Monday’s contests went ahead, and both teams dedicated the night to the community and first responders.

“I hope it can bring some smiles to some faces,” Clippers coach Tyronn Lue said.

“It’s been tough the last four or five days. We’re still supportive in every way we can be as an organization, as a staff, doing whatever we can.”