The Los Angeles Clippers are a professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They play in the National Basketball Association (NBA) and are a member of the NBA Western Conference's Pacific Division. The Clippers were founded in 1970 as the Buffalo Braves. They were one of three franchises that joined the NBA as an expansion team in the 1970–71 season. The Braves moved to San Diego, California after the 1977–78 season, and became known as the San Diego Clippers. [1] For the 1984–85 NBA season, the Clippers moved north to Los Angeles and became known as the Los Angeles Clippers.
On October 14, 1970, the Braves beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 107–92 in their first game. [1] In the 1972 NBA draft, the Braves selected Bob McAdoo, [2] who later won such awards as Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player. [3] During McAdoo's years (1972–76) with the franchise, [4] the Braves reached the post-season three times and had a record of nine wins and 13 losses during that time.
Overall, the Clippers have qualified for the post-season sixteen times; most recently in the 2020–21 season. They passed the first round of the playoffs seven times (1975–76, 2005–06, 2011–12, 2013–14, 2014–15, 2019–20 and 2020–21). The Clippers have never won league or Conference titles. Their 51-year drought between entering Western Conference finals (before doing so in 2020–21) is one of the longest in league history and the 30-year drought between winning a playoffs round (before doing so in 2005–06) is the longest in league history. [5] They also have only sixteen seasons with a winning percentage of .500 or better, and as a result, in their April 17, 2000 issue, the Sports Illustrated had three Clippers fans on the cover that stated "The worst franchise in sports history". [6] A decade later, the additions of Blake Griffin and Chris Paul helped them win their first division title during the 2012–13 season, their 43rd year in the league, and they repeated the feat the following year. [7] Paul and Griffin departed in 2017, and after a short transition period, the Clippers signed All-Stars Kawhi Leonard and Paul George in 2019.
Finish | Final position in league or division standings |
GB | Games behind first-place team in division [lower-alpha 1] |
ASG MVP | All-Star Game Most Valuable Player |
EOY | Executive of the Year |
MVP | Most Valuable Player |
ROY | Rookie of the Year |
MIP | Most Improved Player |
W | Number of regular season wins |
L | Number of regular season losses |
Note: Statistics are correct as of the end of the 2022–23 season.
League champions | Conference champions | Division champions | Playoff berth | Play-in berth |
Season | Team | League | Conference | Finish | Division | Finish | Wins | Losses | Win% | GB | Playoffs | Awards | Head Coach | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Buffalo Braves | |||||||||||||||
1970–71 | 1970–71 | NBA | Eastern | 7th | Atlantic | 4th | 22 | 60 | .268 | 30 | — | Dolph Schayes | |||
1971–72 | 1971–72 | NBA | Eastern | 8th | Atlantic | 4th | 22 | 60 | .268 | 34 | — | Dolph Schayes Johnny McCarthy | |||
1972–73 | 1972–73 | NBA | Eastern | 7th | Atlantic | 3rd | 21 | 61 | .256 | 47 | Bob McAdoo (ROY) | Jack Ramsay | |||
1973–74 | 1973–74 | NBA | Eastern | 4th | Atlantic | 3rd | 42 | 40 | .512 | 14 | Lost conference semifinals (Celtics) 4–2 [9] | Ernie DiGregorio (ROY) Eddie Donovan (EOY) | |||
1974–75 | 1974–75 | NBA | Eastern | 3rd | Atlantic | 2nd | 49 | 33 | .598 | 11 | Lost conference semifinals (Bullets) 4–3 [10] | Bob McAdoo (MVP) | |||
1975–76 | 1975–76 | NBA | Eastern | 5th | Atlantic | 2nd | 46 | 36 | .561 | 8 | Won First round (76ers) 2–1 Lost conference semifinals (Celtics) 4–2 [11] | — | |||
1976–77 | 1976–77 | NBA | Eastern | 10th | Atlantic | 4th | 30 | 52 | .366 | 20 | Adrian Dantley (ROY) | Tates Locke Bob MacKinnon Joe Mullaney | |||
1977–78 | 1977–78 | NBA | Eastern | 10th | Atlantic | 4th | 27 | 55 | .329 | 28 | Randy Smith (ASG MVP) | Cotton Fitzsimmons | |||
San Diego Clippers | |||||||||||||||
1978–79 | 1978–79 [lower-alpha 2] | NBA | Western | 7th | Pacific | 5th | 43 | 39 | .524 | 9 | — | Gene Shue | |||
1979–80 | 1979–80 | NBA | Western | 7th | Pacific | 5th | 35 | 47 | .427 | 25 | — | ||||
1980–81 | 1980–81 | NBA | Western | 9th | Pacific | 5th | 36 | 46 | .439 | 21 | — | Paul Silas | |||
1981–82 | 1981–82 | NBA | Western | 12th | Pacific | 6th | 17 | 65 | .207 | 40 | — | ||||
1982–83 | 1982–83 | NBA | Western | 11th | Pacific | 6th | 25 | 57 | .305 | 33 | Terry Cummings (ROY) | ||||
1983–84 | 1983–84 | NBA | Western | 11th | Pacific | 6th | 30 | 52 | .366 | 24 | — | Jim Lynam | |||
Los Angeles Clippers | |||||||||||||||
1984–85 | 1984–85 [lower-alpha 3] | NBA | Western | 11th | Pacific | 4th | 31 | 51 | .378 | 31 | — | Jim Lynam Don Chaney | |||
1985–86 | 1985–86 | NBA | Western | 10th | Pacific | 3rd | 32 | 50 | .390 | 30 | — | Don Chaney | |||
1986–87 | 1986–87 | NBA | Western | 12th | Pacific | 6th | 12 | 70 | .146 | 53 | — | ||||
1987–88 | 1987–88 | NBA | Western | 12th | Pacific | 6th | 17 | 65 | .207 | 45 | — | Gene Shue | |||
1988–89 | 1988–89 | NBA | Western | 11th | Pacific | 7th | 21 | 61 | .256 | 36 | — | Gene Shue Don Casey | |||
1989–90 | 1989–90 | NBA | Western | 11th | Pacific | 6th | 30 | 52 | .366 | 33 | — | Don Casey | |||
1990–91 | 1990–91 | NBA | Western | 10th | Pacific | 6th | 31 | 51 | .378 | 32 | — | Mike Schuler | |||
1991–92 | 1991–92 | NBA | Western | 7th | Pacific | 5th | 45 | 37 | .549 | 12 | Lost First round (Jazz) 3–2 [12] | — | Mike Schuler Mack Calvin Larry Brown | ||
1992–93 | 1992–93 | NBA | Western | 7th | Pacific | 4th | 41 | 41 | .500 | 21 | Lost First round (Rockets) 3–2 [13] | — | Larry Brown | ||
1993–94 | 1993–94 | NBA | Western | 11th | Pacific | 7th | 27 | 55 | .329 | 36 | — | Bob Weiss | |||
1994–95 | 1994–95 | NBA | Western | 13th | Pacific | 7th | 17 | 65 | .207 | 42 | — | Bill Fitch | |||
1995–96 | 1995–96 | NBA | Western | 11th | Pacific | 7th | 29 | 53 | .354 | 35 | — | ||||
1996–97 | 1996–97 | NBA | Western | 8th | Pacific | 5th | 36 | 46 | .439 | 21 | Lost First round (Jazz) 3–0 [14] | — | |||
1997–98 | 1997–98 | NBA | Western | 13th | Pacific | 7th | 17 | 65 | .207 | 44 | — | ||||
1998–99 [lower-alpha 4] | 1998–99 | NBA | Western | 13th | Pacific | 7th | 9 | 41 | .180 | 26 | — | Chris Ford | |||
1999–00 | 1999–2000 | NBA | Western | 14th | Pacific | 7th | 15 | 67 | .183 | 52 | — | Chris Ford Jim Todd | |||
2000–01 | 2000–01 | NBA | Western | 12th | Pacific | 6th | 31 | 51 | .378 | 25 | — | Alvin Gentry | |||
2001–02 | 2001–02 | NBA | Western | 9th | Pacific | 5th | 39 | 43 | .476 | 22 | — | ||||
2002–03 | 2002–03 | NBA | Western | 13th | Pacific | 7th | 27 | 55 | .329 | 32 | — | Alvin Gentry Dennis Johnson | |||
2003–04 | 2003–04 | NBA | Western | 14th | Pacific | 7th | 28 | 54 | .341 | 28 | — | Mike Dunleavy | |||
2004–05 | 2004–05 | NBA | Western | 10th | Pacific | 3rd | 37 | 45 | .451 | 25 | Bobby Simmons (MIP) | ||||
2005–06 | 2005–06 | NBA | Western | 6th | Pacific | 2nd | 47 | 35 | .573 | 7 | Won First round (Nuggets) 4–1 Lost conference semifinals (Suns) 4–3 [16] | Elgin Baylor (EOY) Elton Brand (SPOR) | |||
2006–07 | 2006–07 | NBA | Western | 9th | Pacific | 4th | 40 | 42 | .488 | 21 | — | ||||
2007–08 | 2007–08 | NBA | Western | 12th | Pacific | 5th | 23 | 59 | .280 | 34 | — | ||||
2008–09 | 2008–09 | NBA | Western | 14th | Pacific | 4th | 19 | 63 | .232 | 46 | — | ||||
2009–10 | 2009–10 | NBA | Western | 12th | Pacific | 3rd | 29 | 53 | .354 | 28 | — | Mike Dunleavy Kim Hughes | |||
2010–11 | 2010–11 | NBA | Western | 13th | Pacific | 4th | 32 | 50 | .390 | 25 | Blake Griffin (ROY) | Vinny Del Negro | |||
2011–12 [lower-alpha 5] | 2011–12 | NBA | Western | 5th | Pacific | 2nd | 40 | 26 | .606 | 1 | Won First round (Grizzlies) 4–3 Lost conference semifinals (Spurs) 4–0 [18] | — | |||
2012–13 | 2012–13 | NBA | Western | 4th | Pacific | 1st | 56 | 26 | .683 | – | Lost First round (Grizzlies) 4–2 [19] | Chris Paul (ASG MVP) | |||
2013–14 | 2013–14 | NBA | Western | 3rd | Pacific | 1st | 57 | 25 | .695 | – | Won First round (Warriors) 4–3 Lost conference semifinals (Thunder) 4–2 [20] | Jamal Crawford (SIX) | Doc Rivers | ||
2014–15 | 2014–15 | NBA | Western | 3rd | Pacific | 2nd | 56 | 26 | .683 | 11 | Won First round (Spurs) 4–3 Lost conference semifinals (Rockets) 4–3 [21] | — | |||
2015–16 | 2015–16 | NBA | Western | 4th | Pacific | 2nd | 53 | 29 | .646 | 20 | Lost First round (Trail Blazers) 4–2 [22] | Jamal Crawford (SIX) | |||
2016–17 | 2016–17 | NBA | Western | 4th | Pacific | 2nd | 51 | 31 | .622 | 16 | Lost First round (Jazz) 4–3 [23] | — | |||
2017–18 | 2017–18 | NBA | Western | 10th | Pacific | 2nd | 42 | 40 | .512 | 16 | Lou Williams (SIX) | ||||
2018–19 | 2018-19 | NBA | Western | 8th | Pacific | 2nd | 48 | 34 | .585 | 9 | Lost First round (Warriors) 4–2 [24] | Lou Williams (SIX) | |||
2019–20 | 2019–20 | NBA | Western | 2nd | Pacific | 2nd | 49 | 23 | .681 | 3.5 | Won First round (Mavericks) 4–2 Lost conference semifinals (Nuggets) 4–3 [25] | Montrezl Harrell (SIX) Lawrence Frank (EOY) Kawhi Leonard (ASG MVP) | |||
2020–21 | 2020–21 | NBA | Western | 4th | Pacific | 2nd | 47 | 25 | .653 | 4 | Won First round (Mavericks) 4–3 Won conference semifinals (Jazz) 4–2 Lost conference finals (Suns) 4–2 [26] | — | Tyronn Lue | ||
2021–22 | 2021–22 | NBA | Western | 9th [lower-alpha 6] | Pacific | 3rd | 42 | 40 | .512 | 22 | — | ||||
2022–23 | 2022–23 | NBA | Western | 5th | Pacific | 3rd | 44 | 38 | .537 | 4 | Lost First round (Suns) 4–1 [28] | — | |||
2023–24 | 2023–24 | NBA | Western | 4th | Pacific | 1st | 51 | 31 | .622 | – | Lost First round (Mavericks) 4–2 | — | |||
Note: Statistics are correct as of the end of the 2023–24 season.
Statistic | Wins | Losses | W–L% |
---|---|---|---|
Buffalo Braves regular season record (1970–1978) | 259 | 397 | .395 |
San Diego Clippers regular season record (1978–1984) | 186 | 306 | .378 |
Los Angeles Clippers regular season record (1984–present) | 1,398 | 1,814 | .435 |
All-time regular season record | 1,843 | 2,517 | .423 |
Buffalo Braves post-season record (1970–1978) | 9 | 13 | .409 |
San Diego Clippers post-season record (1978–1984) | 0 | 0 | — |
Los Angeles Clippers post-season record (1984–present) | 56 | 70 | .444 |
All-time post-season record | 65 | 83 | .439 |
All-time regular and post-season record | 1,908 | 2,600 | .423 |
The Los Angeles Clippers are an American professional basketball team based in the Greater Los Angeles area. The Clippers compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference. The Clippers recently played their home games at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles from 1999 to 2024, which they had shared with NBA's Los Angeles Lakers, the Los Angeles Sparks of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA), and the Los Angeles Kings of the National Hockey League (NHL), and will play in the Intuit Dome beginning with the 2024–25 NBA season.
The Buffalo Braves were an American professional basketball team based in Buffalo, New York. The Braves competed in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. In 1978, owner John Y. Brown Jr. swapped franchises with then-Boston Celtics owner Irv Levin, who then moved the team to San Diego, where it was renamed the San Diego Clippers. The franchise relocated to Los Angeles in 1984, becoming the Los Angeles Clippers.
Robert Allen McAdoo Jr. is an American former professional basketball player and coach. He played 14 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA), where he was a five-time NBA All-Star and named the NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) in 1975. He won two NBA championships with the Los Angeles Lakers during their Showtime era in the 1980s. In 2000, McAdoo was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. He was named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team in 2021.
Christopher Emmanuel Paul, nicknamed "CP3" and "the Point God", is an American professional basketball player who last played for the Golden State Warriors of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Widely regarded as one of the greatest point guards of all time, he has won the NBA Rookie of the Year Award, an NBA All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award, two Olympic gold medals, and led the NBA in assists five times and steals a record six times. Paul has also been selected to 12 NBA All-Star teams, 11 All-NBA teams, and nine NBA All-Defensive teams. In 2021, he was selected to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team. Paul also served as the president of the National Basketball Players Association from 2013 to 2021. Among the highest-paid athletes in the world, he holds endorsement deals with companies such as Jordan Brand and State Farm.
The 1973–74 Buffalo Braves season was the fourth season for the expansion Buffalo Braves franchise in the National Basketball Association and its Atlantic Division. It was the team's second season under head coach Jack Ramsay. The team's official home arena was Buffalo Memorial Auditorium.
The 1975–76 Buffalo Braves season was the sixth season for the expansion Buffalo Braves franchise in the National Basketball Association and its Atlantic Division. It was the team's fourth season under head coach Jack Ramsay. The team's official home arena was Buffalo Memorial Auditorium.
The 1974–75 Buffalo Braves season was the fifth season of the club in the National Basketball Association. It was the team's third season under head coach Jack Ramsay. The team's home arena was the Buffalo Memorial Auditorium, with six "home" games played at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto.
The 1970 NBA expansion draft was the fifth expansion draft of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The draft was held on May 11, 1970, so that the newly founded Buffalo Braves, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Portland Trail Blazers could acquire players for the 1970–71 season. Buffalo, Cleveland, and Portland were awarded the expansion teams on February 6, 1970. Houston was also awarded a franchise, but the group backing the team was unable to come up with the US$750,000 down payment on the US$3.7 million entrance fee that was required before the 1970 NBA draft. The Braves later underwent two relocations, moving to San Diego in 1978 and changing their name from the Braves to the Clippers, and then relocating to Los Angeles in 1984. They are currently known as the Los Angeles Clippers.
The 1993–94 NBA season was the Clippers' 24th season in the National Basketball Association, and their 10th season in Los Angeles. The Clippers had the thirteenth overall pick in the 1993 NBA draft, and selected Terry Dehere out of Seton Hall University. In the off-season, the team signed free agent Mark Aguirre, who won two championships with the Detroit Pistons from 1989 to 1990. Under new head coach Bob Weiss, the Clippers played slightly under .500 with an 11–14 start, but then struggled posting a 7-game losing streak between December and January, as Stanley Roberts only played just 14 games due to a ruptured Achilles tendon. The team held a 16–29 record at the All-Star break.
The IBM Award was an award given out to National Basketball Association players from 1984 to 2002. The award was sponsored and calculated by technology company IBM and was determined by a computer formula, which measured a player's statistical contribution to his team. The player with the best contribution to his team in the league received the award. The first recipient was Magic Johnson of the Los Angeles Lakers, and the final recipient was Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs.
The National Basketball Association has undergone several rounds of expansion in the league's history, since it began play in 1946, to reach 30 teams. The most recent examples are the additions of the Charlotte Hornets and Miami Heat in 1988; the Minnesota Timberwolves and Orlando Magic in 1989; the Toronto Raptors and Vancouver Grizzlies in 1995 ; and the New Orleans Hornets in 2002. In July 2023, Commissioner Adam Silver stated that the NBA would explore a potential expansion of the league once they reach an agreement on a new media rights deal. Silver said in a February 2024 interview on The Pat McAfee Show that Las Vegas was an expansion team candidate.
The San Diego Clippers are a professional basketball team based in Oceanside, California, that competes in the NBA G League. The Clippers began play in the 2017–18 season. The team plays their home games at Frontwave Arena. The Clippers are the affiliate team of the National Basketball Association (NBA)'s Los Angeles Clippers.