DENVER (AP) — Jamal Murray had 21 points and nine assists, Russell Westbrook added 19 points and eight assists and the Denver Nuggets beat the Los Angeles Clippers 126-103 on Wednesday night in a matchup of short-handed teams.
Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard was not available after he flew back to Los Angeles before the game to help his family deal with the wildfires.
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Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden, left, confers with head coach Tyronn Lue in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Denver Nuggets, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Nuggets guard Julian Strawther, right, drives the lane as Los Angeles Clippers forward Nicolas Batum defends in the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Nuggets forward Peyton Watson, center, drives the baseline as Los Angeles Clippers guards Kevin Porter Jr., left, and James Harden defend in the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook, front, drives to the basket as Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden defends in the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Los Angeles Clippers forward Nicolas Batum, left, looks to pass the ball as Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray defends in the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Los Angeles Clippers forward Nicolas Batum, left, reacts as Denver Nuggets guard Julian Strawther collides with Batum while pursuing a loose ball in the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden, right, shoots over Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray in the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Los Angeles Clippers center Ivica Zubac, left, pulls in a rebound as Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. defends in the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook reacts after making a basket against the Los Angeles Clippers in the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Nuggets guard Christian Braun, left, and Los Angeles Clippers guard Kris Dunn pursue a loose ball in the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Nuggets center Nikola Jokic was out for the second straight game due to an illness. Denver is 2-3 without him this season.
Norman Powell scored 30 points to finish with a 27.6 average in the Clippers' four games against the Nuggets. James Harden had 16 points and Ivica Zubac added 10.
Denver took control with a 20-3 run in the first quarter and led 55-30 late in the second before Los Angeles cut it to 16 at halftime.
The Nuggets used another spurt midway through the third quarter to put it away.
Clippers: Powell came into the night hitting 85.2% percent of his free throws but missed 3 of 6 in the third quarter. The team missed 5 of 15 in the period.
Nuggets: Coach Michael Malone made a change from Tuesday night by starting DeAndre Jordan in Jokic’s place and bringing Dario Saric off the bench. Jordan finished with a season-high 12 points and tied his season high with nine rebounds.
Jordan had a big third quarter. He made two free throws, threw down two alley-oops and tipped in a feed from Westbrook that helped the lead grow from 16 to 27.
The Nuggets improved to 8-0 on the second leg of back-to-backs. They are 2-6 in the first game of a set.
The Clippers return home to play Charlotte on Saturday night. The Nuggets host Brooklyn on Friday night.
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Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden, left, confers with head coach Tyronn Lue in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Denver Nuggets, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Nuggets guard Julian Strawther, right, drives the lane as Los Angeles Clippers forward Nicolas Batum defends in the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Nuggets forward Peyton Watson, center, drives the baseline as Los Angeles Clippers guards Kevin Porter Jr., left, and James Harden defend in the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook, front, drives to the basket as Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden defends in the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Los Angeles Clippers forward Nicolas Batum, left, looks to pass the ball as Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray defends in the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Los Angeles Clippers forward Nicolas Batum, left, reacts as Denver Nuggets guard Julian Strawther collides with Batum while pursuing a loose ball in the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden, right, shoots over Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray in the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Los Angeles Clippers center Ivica Zubac, left, pulls in a rebound as Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. defends in the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook reacts after making a basket against the Los Angeles Clippers in the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Nuggets guard Christian Braun, left, and Los Angeles Clippers guard Kris Dunn pursue a loose ball in the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
LOS ANGELES (AP) — At least five people were killed and thousands of structures were burned as fierce wildfires raged in the Los Angeles area, officials said. Fast-moving flames blazed through homes and businesses as residents fled smoke-filled canyons and picturesque neighborhoods that are home to many celebrities.
Many of the towering fires that began Tuesday were fueled by powerful Santa Ana winds, which gusted to more than 70 mph (112 kph) in some spots. The winds dropped Thursday, but the National Weather Service warned that even the reduced gusts could still spread fire rapidly.
The exact death toll remained unclear Thursday morning, but the total is expected to rise as crews begin to search the rubble.
Gov. Gavin Newsom said the state has deployed more than 1,400 firefighting personnel to battle the blazes. In a rare, urgent plea, the Los Angeles Fire Department asked all off-duty firefighters in the city to help. Oregon was sending 300 firefighters and Washington state 146 personnel. Utah, New Mexico and Arizona were also dispatching teams.
AccuWeather estimated $52 billion to $57 billion in preliminary damage and economic loss has occurred from the fires.
Here's what to know about the fires:
Thousands of structures have been damaged or destroyed in the hilly coastal neighborhood of Pacific Palisades, making it the most destructive fire in Los Angeles history.
The wreckage surpassed that of the Sayre Fire of November 2008, which destroyed 604 structures in Sylmar, the northernmost suburb of the city, according to statistics kept by the Wildfire Alliance, a partnership between the city’s fire department and MySafe:LA.
Some 25 square miles (40 square kilometers) burned in Pacific Palisades, which is dotted with celebrity homes and was memorialized by the Beach Boys in their 1960s hit “Surfin’ USA.” The flames torched part of Palisades Charter High School, which has been featured in many Hollywood productions, including the 1976 horror movie “Carrie” and the TV series “Teen Wolf.”
The fire destroyed the public library, two major grocery stores, a pair of banks and several boutiques in Palisades Village. Actor Billy Crystal and his wife Janice lost their home of 45 years.
Residents rushing to escape created a traffic jam, blocking emergency vehicles from getting through. Crews used a bulldozer to push the abandoned cars off to the side. Photos depict what some residents describe as an apocalyptic scene.
Farther inland, the Eaton Fire north of Pasadena burned between 200 and 500 structures, substantially damaged five school campuses in Altadena and scorched more than 16.5 square miles (43 square kilometers). Employees at a senior center pushed dozens of residents in wheelchairs and hospital beds to a parking lot to escape.
The Hurst Fire, which started Tuesday night, prompted evacuations in Sylmar in the San Fernando Valley and grew to 1 square mile (2.6 square kilometers).
Late Wednesday, another blaze broke out in the Hollywood Hills. Called the Sunset Fire, it was burning near the Hollywood Bowl and other iconic landmarks, but firefighters were able to hold that blaze to under 1 square mile (2.6 square kilometers).
Nearly 180,000 people were ordered to evacuate — a number that kept changing because evacuation orders were continually being issued.
Several hundred were at the Pasadena evacuation center by Wednesday afternoon. Many were elderly.
The flames marched toward highly populated and affluent neighborhoods, including Calabasas and Santa Monica, home to California’s rich and famous. Hollywood stars including Mark Hamill, Mandy Moore and James Woods were among those forced to flee, and Moore later said she lost her home in Altadena.
The fires filled the air with a thick cloud of smoke and ash, prompting air and dust advisories for 17 million people across a vast stretch of Southern California, according to the South Coast Air Quality Management District.
The worst conditions were in the vicinity of the fires. In East Los Angeles, the air quality index hit an unhealthy 173. Good air quality is considered to be 50 or less.
Dr. Puneet Gupta, the assistant medical director for the Los Angeles County Fire Department, said wildfire smoke causes heart attacks and worsens asthma, while burning homes can release cyanide and carbon dioxide.
The NHL postponed the Los Angeles Kings’ home game against the Calgary Flames. They had been set to play at the Kings’ downtown arena Wednesday night.
The Critics Choice Awards rescheduled their Sunday ceremonies for Jan. 26. They're due to be held at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, only miles from Pacific Palisades.
The organization that puts on the Oscars has extended the voting window for Academy Awards nominations and delayed next week’s planned nominations announcement.
Film studios canceled two movie premieres because of the fires and windy weather, the Universal Studios Hollywood theme park closed for the day because of smoky, windy conditions and the J. Paul Getty Trust said two of its museums will remain closed for the next few days. But Disneyland, which is farther from the fires in Anaheim, remained open.
Universal Studios also canceled shooting for numerous series, including “Hacks,” “Ted Lasso” and “Suits LA.”
All schools will be closed Thursday in the Los Angeles Unified School District.
More than 420,000 customers were without power in Southern California on Thursday morning, with about half of them in Los Angeles County, according to PowerOutage.us, which tracks outages nationwide.
Residents in some areas including Palisades have been ordered to boil their water before using it because ash and debris from the fires have contaminated some water supplies. Officials say the sewer, water and power infrastructure across the region has been significantly damaged.
Looters who are taking advantage of the wildfire crisis in Los Angeles by targeting vulnerable communities will be prosecuted, officials promised during a news conference Thursday morning. There have been at least 20 arrests.
“This is simply unacceptable,” Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger said. “I promise you, you will be held accountable.”
Thick heavy smoke from wildfires passes over the Hollywood sign in Los Angeles on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel)
The Eaton Fire engulfs a property Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025 in Altadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)
Firefighters protect a structure as the Eaton Fire advances Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025 in Altadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)
Residents embrace in front of burning structures as the Eaton Fire advances Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025 in Altadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Nic Coury)
Fire explodes out of a window of the Altadena Community Church, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, in the downtown Altadena section of Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Firefighters work inside a burned structure while battling the Eaton Fire, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, in Altadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Nic Coury)
Trees sway in high winds as the Eaton Fire burns structures Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025 in Altadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)
People watch as the Eaton Fire destroys a neigborhood Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025 in Altadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)
The Palisades Fire ravages a neighborhood amid high winds in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
Firefighters work a hydrant in front of the burning Bunny Museum, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, in the Altadena section of Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
The Palisades Fire ravages a neighborhood amid high winds in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
A wildfire-ravaged property is shown after the Palisades Fire swept through in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
A man walks his bike among the ruins left behind by the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
The Eaton Fire burns vehicles and structures Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025 in Altadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Nic Coury)
A resident of a senior center is evacuated as the Eaton Fire approaches Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025 in Altadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)
A resident of a senior center is evacuated as the Eaton Fire approaches Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025 in Altadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)
The Palisades Fire burns a residence in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)
A firefighter battles the Palisades Fire as it burns a structure in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)
