The heartbreaking reason behind Victor Wembanyama’s Chris Paul moment with JJ Redick’s sons

LOS ANGELES, Calif. – Like Los Angeles Lakers who were preparing for their first game back on the field after their previous two games were postponed, one of the main topics on everyone’s mind was the ongoing fires. Lakers coach JJ Redick revealed how he challenged the team to simply give it their all in practice, however it seems best given the circumstances. And then after the game, JJ Redick had another revelation, the reasoning behind his Sons’ viral post-game moment with San Antonio Spurs players Victor Vembanyama and Chris Paul.

After the Spurs walked away with a 126-102 victory over the Lakers, Wembanyama and Chris Paul approached JJ Redick’s sons and gave them their game-worn jerseys which they signed. When Redick was asked about the moment during his postgame press conference, he got emotional with his response.

“They had a collection of jerseys and cardboard and they lost it all.” So it’s nice of them to do that. And now they each have two because Austin (Reaves) was kind enough to leave a couple in his locker for them after practice the other day,” Redick said. “I appreciate all the love and I’m not surprised Chris would do something like that.”

Redick’s Pacific Palisades home was among those destroyed in the fire. His sons lost their entire collection of NBA memorabilia there.

Redick talked about how Paul called him before the game and how his relationship with the Spurs point guard dating back to his playing days set the wheels in motion for such a heartfelt gesture in the midst of a heartbreaking situation.

“Chris is like a brother to me. It’s funny, yesterday we were talking about our inner circles and people in the NBA that you’ve worked with, or people that you know, people that you’re in a relationship with. “Coaches, teammates, equipment managers, PR staff, whatever,” Redick said. “You’re in the league long enough, you have a big circle and it’s people you love, people you love, and then it’s your brothers.

“He called me this afternoon and said, ‘Vic and I are going, whether you win or we win, we’re going to go and give your guys jerseys. “He knows they’re big NBA fans,” Redick continued. “For two years, I hosted a podcast from my home. All the players would go through and get either a jersey or a signed ticket.”

As for the game, the Lakers had a double-digit lead at one point, before the Spurs used a fourth-quarter surge to take control of the game. It’s the third straight loss for the Lakers, who will try to end the skid against the Miami Heat on Wednesday.