Most of the time, NBA teams do everything they can to fend off distractions. On Monday, the Lakers couldn’t have been more excited to have one.

LeBron James and Anthony Davis had to vacate their homes. JJ Redick lost his. Reconstruction hasn’t even begun yet, another gust of wind is keeping the red-shaded parts of the city in suspense.

But Redick, one of the most recognizable faces of these fires, knew this would be an opportunity to think about something else, however temporary.

“I think a group works best when you strengthen each other. And the way my players, my staff and the organization supported me, rallied around me – obviously rallied around the city – and loved my family, there’s real strength in that. And that is the way of receiving power. Then it is our job to give strength, hope and joy,” said Redick before the game. “Sport is many things, and sport can certainly be an escape and a distraction, and hopefully sport, and tonight, can bring some joy as well.”

From that perspective, it was all a success — fans enjoyed the moments when James and Davis tried to loosen Victor Wembanyama’s 7-foot-3 frame after fires postponed the Lakers’ final two games.

However, the distraction of the outside world and the actual game once again brought to light some of the Lakers’ problems within the game of basketball: a team that was once again attacking them physically and harder, the Spurs taking the breath away from the crowd, and a 126-102 victory achieve, the Lakers’ third defeat in a row.

Davis and James combined for 48 points on 20 of 29 shooting, but the Lakers’ secondary struggled. Austin Reaves was targeted by the Spurs offense after they pulled Davis away from the hoop. They pushed and pushed their way through Rui Hachimura and Max Christie.

And the Lakers offered little fight in return.

The loss came when the offense disintegrated in the fourth quarter and the team scored just 13 points.

However, the problem came late in the third period, the Lakers had a ten-point lead before San Antonio gave them ten straight points without Redick or the bench calling a timeout.

In addition to their first game back after wildfire postponements, the Lakers held a planned celebration of their past.

At halftime, the team retired Michael Cooper’s No. 21, the culmination of Cooper’s career earning him a spot in the Basketball Hall of Fame class of 2024.

Magic Johnson, James Worthy, Jamaal Wilkes, Norm Nixon, Byron Scott and Pat Riley were among the former Lakers in attendance at the ceremony.

Cooper was involved in some of their celebrations; Now it was his turn.

Michael Cooper (centre) is harassed by Pat Riley (left), Magic Johnson, James Worthy, Byron Scott, Vlade Divac and Kurt Rambis after his jersey was retired at half-time.

(Kevork Djansezian/Associated Press)

“I always tried to play the game the right way. And it’s such a good feeling that people recognize that,” Cooper said. “Although I was always in a team with a lot of megastars, I was sometimes overshadowed, but that didn’t bother me because it was about the work we put together and winning championships. So when it’s my turn, I come here and stand alone on the podium with everyone watching, that’s very, very good. Because like I said, it came out of nowhere.”

This celebration was one of the last feel-good moments of the evening. But it wasn’t the last time.

As the Lakers players deflated the court, Redick walked to midfield, where Wembanyama and Chris Paul presented Redick’s sons, Knox and Kai, with their jerseys. The children lost a number of valuable memorabilia in the Palisades fire.

It was a reminder that Monday, back to basketball, was still difficult. But at least it was something again.