As NBA All-Star Weekend Shines in L.A., the Clippers and NBA Cares Help Fire-Ravaged Communities Rebuild
When the basketball world descends on Los Angeles this weekend for the 2026 NBA All-Star Game, the spotlight won't just be on dunks, three-point contests, and star-studded matchups. For families still reeling from the devastating wildfires that tore through Southern California just over a year ago, the real story is about rebuilding - and the NBA is stepping up in a big way.
Thirteen months after the fires claimed at least 27 lives and destroyed more than 15,000 structures, including countless homes, the road to recovery remains long and complex. For people like Susan Blumenthal, that journey has meant trying to piece together a life plan that went up in smoke.
She had retired with a solid strategy - a rental unit on her property, some savings, and Social Security. Then the fire came, and everything changed.
Blumenthal’s story is far from unique. Thousands of families across the region are grappling with insurance delays, partial payouts, and the overwhelming maze of contractors, permits, and red tape that comes with rebuilding a home in Southern California. It’s not just about bricks and lumber - it’s about navigating a system that can feel impossible without help.
That’s where the NBA, the Clippers, and Habitat for Humanity have stepped in.
All-Star Weekend with a Purpose
On Friday, just ahead of the All-Star festivities, downtown Los Angeles will transform into more than just a basketball hub. It’ll be a work site.
NBA legends like Dominique Wilkins and James Worthy will trade suits for hard hats, joining volunteers and families to help build homes and distribute school supplies. It’s part of a broader, ongoing partnership between NBA Cares, the LA Clippers, and Habitat for Humanity aimed at making a tangible difference in the lives of those affected by the fires.
“We have more than 1,500 families that we’re working with on rebuilding,” said Erin Rank, President & CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles. “Whether they’re using their own contractor or working with Habitat, we’re there to help them evaluate bids, select builders, and understand the process.
That’s what we do every day - especially in L.A. County, where building can be intimidating.”
Clippers Focus on Altadena
The Clippers, in particular, have focused their efforts on Altadena - a working-class community hit hard by the Eaton Fire. That blaze started in Eaton Canyon, but fierce Santa Ana winds pushed it into Altadena, where it killed at least 19 people and destroyed more than 9,000 buildings.
Bryan Wong, CEO of San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity, has seen the impact up close.
“We’re working with over 550 people right now, from low to moderate-income families,” Wong said. “The first group of families we focused on - about 30 of them - had an average age of 71.
Many had lived in their homes for 30 years or more. About half were multi-generational households.
Altadena is a unique community, and as we rebuild, we’re doing everything we can to preserve what made it special.”
Before the NBA season even tipped off, the Clippers rolled up their sleeves. They hosted Habitat for Humanity workdays in the parking lot of the Kia Forum - just down the street from their soon-to-open Intuit Dome. Players, staff, and hundreds of volunteers came together to build wall frames and other components that could be quickly transported and assembled on-site.
The effort wasn’t just symbolic. It was hands-on. Clippers players were out there hammering, lifting, and working alongside volunteers from NBC Universal and Comcast - two of the first corporate partners to step up.
“NBC Universal and Comcast donated $2.5 million to our Rebuild LA campaign within a week of the fires,” Rank said. “They understood early that the real challenge would be the cost of rebuilding. That money is going directly to helping families get back on their feet.”
Streamlining the Rebuild
One of the biggest hurdles in the rebuilding process is design and permitting - a process that can drag on for months, especially in California. To address that, Habitat for Humanity worked with architects to create nine home designs tailored specifically for Altadena. These designs were pre-approved by city and county agencies, cutting through a significant chunk of the red tape.
“We’re hearing from a lot of people who are paralyzed by the decision-making or shocked by the prices,” Rank said. “So we worked with contractors to lock in reasonable rates and created affordable home designs that people can choose from.”
The designs weren’t just pulled out of a hat. Wong and his team went back through old Google Maps to study the architectural styles that defined Altadena before the fire. The goal was to rebuild in a way that honors the community’s original character - something residents deeply care about.
“If someone chooses one of these pre-approved designs, they’re already a third of the way through the process,” Rank explained. “The house has already cleared city and county approvals. All that’s left is fitting it to the lot.”
A Long Road Ahead - But Not Alone
That head start is huge, but the journey is far from over. The physical labor, emotional toll, and financial strain of rebuilding a life don’t disappear with a blueprint. That’s why the NBA’s involvement - especially during a high-profile weekend like All-Star - matters.
It’s not just about showing up for a photo op. It’s about showing up when it counts. And the Clippers, along with NBA Cares and Habitat for Humanity, are committed to being there for the long haul.
So while the world tunes in to see the best basketball players on the planet light up Los Angeles, there’s another kind of teamwork happening just a few miles away - one that’s helping rebuild homes, restore hope, and remind families like Susan Blumenthal’s that they’re not alone in this fight.