Redick’s family evacuates amid fires

Lakers coach JJ Redick said members of his family were among those in Southern California forced to evacuate their homes on Tuesday due to a wildfire that was being whipped by strong winds around Los Angeles. The fire swept through a Los Angeles hillside where Redick lives, burning homes in Pacific Palisades and prompting evacuation orders for tens of thousands. Before the Lakers took on the Mavericks in Dallas, Redick acknowledged the gravity of the situation. “I want to acknowledge and send thoughts and prayers to everyone in the Palisades right now,” Redick said prior to the Lakers’ 118-97 loss. “That’s where I live. Our family, my wife’s family, my wife’s twin sister, they’ve evacuated. I know a lot of people are freaking out right now, including my family. ... I know a lot of people are scared ... hope everybody stays safe.” Officials announced Wednesday that two people had been and at least 1,000 structures damaged or destroyed in the Pacific Palisades wildfire. About 70,000 residents were under evacuation orders and more than 13,000 structures were under threat.

Verlander, Giants agree to 1-year deal

Justin Verlander and the Giants have agreed to a one-year, $15 million contract, according to reports on Tuesday night. The deal was pending a physical. It’s the latest big move by new Giants President of Baseball Operations Buster Posey since he was hired in September to replace Farhan Zaidi. The team also signed free agent shortstop Willy Adames to a seven-year, $182 million contract in December. This will be the 20th major league season for Verlander, a three-time AL Cy Young Award winner who turns 42 next month. He would join a Giants rotation led by All-Star righty Logan Webb. Verlander went 5-6 with a 5.48 ERA in 17 starts for the AL West champion Astros last year. He opened the season on the injured list with shoulder inflammation. He also was on the IL from June 18 to Aug. 21 because of neck discomfort. The right-hander had a 9.26 ERA in five September starts and was left off the Astros’ postseason roster when the team was swept by the Tigers in an AL wild-card series. He became a free agent after he failed to pitch 140 innings.

Deschamps done after ’26 World Cup

Didier Deschamps announced Wednesday that he won’t continue as France coach after the next World Cup, bringing an end to an era in which he became the nation’s most successful manager over more than a decade. The 56-year-old Deschamps said that he will leave when his contract expires in the summer of 2026. “I did my time, with the same desire and the same passion to keep the French team at the highest level, but 2026 is all very well,” Deschamps said in an interview with broadcaster TF1. Deschamps led France to victory at the 2018 World Cup, also reaching the final in 2022 and at the 2016 European Championship. At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, France lost an epic title match to Argentina. Deschamps is one of only three people in soccer history to have won the World Cup as both a player and a coach. He has the highest number of wins (105) of any France coach, far ahead of Michel Hidalgo and Domenech (tied on 41). As a player, Deschamps captained France to victory at the 1998 World Cup and 2000 European Championship. —Associated Press