List of Los Angeles Clippers seasons

Last updated

The Clippers hosting the San Antonio Spurs in Game 5 of the 2015 NBA playoffs first round series. San Antonio Spurs at Los Angeles Clippers 2015-04-28 01.jpg
The Clippers hosting the San Antonio Spurs in Game 5 of the 2015 NBA playoffs first round series.

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.

Contents

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.

Table key

Sam Cassell was the co-captain of the Clippers during their 2005-06 post-season appearance. CassellShootaroundBig.jpg
Sam Cassell was the co-captain of the Clippers during their 2005–06 post-season appearance.
FinishFinal position in league or division standings
GBGames 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
WNumber of regular season wins
LNumber of regular season losses

Seasons

Note: Statistics are correct as of the end of the 2022–23 season.

League championsConference championsDivision championsPlayoff berthPlay-in berth
SeasonTeamLeagueConferenceFinishDivisionFinishWinsLosses Win% GB Playoffs Awards Head Coach
Buffalo Braves
1970–71 1970–71 NBA Eastern Atlantic 4th2260.26830 Dolph Schayes
1971–72 1971–72 NBAEasternAtlantic4th2260.26834Dolph Schayes
Johnny McCarthy
1972–73 1972–73 NBAEasternAtlantic3rd2161.25647 Bob McAdoo (ROY) Jack Ramsay
1973–74 1973–74 NBAEasternAtlantic3rd4240.51214Lost conference semifinals (Celtics) 4–2 [9] Ernie DiGregorio (ROY)
Eddie Donovan (EOY)
1974–75 1974–75 NBAEasternAtlantic2nd4933.59811Lost conference semifinals (Bullets) 4–3 [10] Bob McAdoo (MVP)
1975–76 1975–76 NBAEasternAtlantic2nd4636.5618Won First round (76ers) 2–1
Lost conference semifinals (Celtics) 4–2 [11]
1976–77 1976–77 NBAEasternAtlantic4th3052.36620 Adrian Dantley (ROY) Tates Locke
Bob MacKinnon
Joe Mullaney
1977–78 1977–78 NBAEasternAtlantic4th2755.32928 Randy Smith (ASG MVP) Cotton Fitzsimmons
San Diego Clippers
1978–79 1978–79 [lower-alpha 2] NBA Western Pacific 5th4339.5249 Gene Shue
1979–80 1979–80 NBAWesternPacific5th3547.42725
1980–81 1980–81 NBAWesternPacific5th3646.43921 Paul Silas
1981–82 1981–82 NBAWesternPacific6th1765.20740
1982–83 1982–83 NBAWesternPacific6th2557.30533 Terry Cummings (ROY)
1983–84 1983–84 NBAWesternPacific6th3052.36624 Jim Lynam
Los Angeles Clippers
1984–85 1984–85 [lower-alpha 3] NBAWesternPacific4th3151.37831Jim Lynam
Don Chaney
1985–86 1985–86 NBAWesternPacific3rd3250.39030Don Chaney
1986–87 1986–87 NBAWesternPacific6th1270.14653
1987–88 1987–88 NBAWesternPacific6th1765.20745 Gene Shue
1988–89 1988–89 NBAWesternPacific7th2161.25636Gene Shue
Don Casey
1989–90 1989–90 NBAWesternPacific6th3052.36633Don Casey
1990–91 1990–91 NBAWesternPacific6th3151.37832 Mike Schuler
1991–92 1991–92 NBAWesternPacific5th4537.54912Lost First round (Jazz) 3–2 [12] Mike Schuler
Mack Calvin
Larry Brown
1992–93 1992–93 NBAWesternPacific4th4141.50021Lost First round (Rockets) 3–2 [13] Larry Brown
1993–94 1993–94 NBAWesternPacific7th2755.32936 Bob Weiss
1994–95 1994–95 NBAWesternPacific7th1765.20742 Bill Fitch
1995–96 1995–96 NBAWesternPacific7th2953.35435
1996–97 1996–97 NBAWesternPacific5th3646.43921Lost First round (Jazz) 3–0 [14]
1997–98 1997–98 NBAWesternPacific7th1765.20744
1998–99 [lower-alpha 4] 1998–99 NBAWesternPacific7th941.18026 Chris Ford
1999–00 1999–2000 NBAWesternPacific7th1567.18352Chris Ford
Jim Todd
2000–01 2000–01 NBAWesternPacific6th3151.37825 Alvin Gentry
2001–02 2001–02 NBAWesternPacific5th3943.47622
2002–03 2002–03 NBAWesternPacific7th2755.32932Alvin Gentry
Dennis Johnson
2003–04 2003–04 NBAWesternPacific7th2854.34128 Mike Dunleavy
2004–05 2004–05 NBAWesternPacific3rd3745.45125 Bobby Simmons (MIP)
2005–06 2005–06 NBAWesternPacific2nd4735.5737Won First round (Nuggets) 4–1
Lost conference semifinals (Suns) 4–3 [16]
Elgin Baylor (EOY)
Elton Brand (SPOR)
2006–07 2006–07 NBAWesternPacific4th4042.48821
2007–08 2007–08 NBAWesternPacific5th2359.28034
2008–09 2008–09 NBAWesternPacific4th1963.23246
2009–10 2009–10 NBAWesternPacific3rd2953.35428Mike Dunleavy
Kim Hughes
2010–11 2010–11 NBAWesternPacific4th3250.39025 Blake Griffin (ROY) Vinny Del Negro
2011–12 [lower-alpha 5] 2011–12 NBAWesternPacific2nd4026.6061Won First round (Grizzlies) 4–3
Lost conference semifinals (Spurs) 4–0 [18]
2012–13 2012–13 NBAWesternPacific5626.683Lost First round (Grizzlies) 4–2 [19] Chris Paul (ASG MVP)
2013–14 2013–14 NBAWesternPacific5725.695Won First round (Warriors) 4–3
Lost conference semifinals (Thunder) 4–2 [20]
Jamal Crawford (SIX) Doc Rivers
2014–15 2014–15 NBAWesternPacific5626.68311Won First round (Spurs) 4–3
Lost conference semifinals (Rockets) 4–3 [21]
2015–16 2015–16 NBAWestern4thPacific2nd5329.64620Lost First round (Trail Blazers) 4–2 [22] Jamal Crawford (SIX)
2016–17 2016–17 NBAWestern4thPacific2nd5131.62216Lost First round (Jazz) 4–3 [23]
2017–18 2017–18 NBAWestern10thPacific2nd4240.51216 Lou Williams (SIX)
2018–19 2018-19 NBAWestern8thPacific2nd4834.5859Lost First round (Warriors) 4–2 [24] Lou Williams (SIX)
2019–20 2019–20 NBAWestern2ndPacific2nd4923.6813.5Won 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 NBAWestern4thPacific2nd4725.6534Won First round (Mavericks) 4–3
Won conference semifinals (Jazz) 4–2
Lost conference finals (Suns) 4–2 [26]
Tyronn Lue
2021–22 2021–22 NBAWestern9th [lower-alpha 6] Pacific3rd4240.51222
2022–23 2022–23 NBAWestern5thPacific3rd4438.5374Lost First round (Suns) 4–1 [28]
2023–24 2023–24 NBAWestern4thPacific1st5131.622Lost First round (Mavericks) 4–2

All-time records

Note: Statistics are correct as of the end of the 2023–24 season.

StatisticWinsLosses W–L%
Buffalo Braves regular season record (1970–1978)259397.395
San Diego Clippers regular season record (1978–1984)186306.378
Los Angeles Clippers regular season record (1984–present)1,3981,814.435
All-time regular season record1,8432,517.423
Buffalo Braves post-season record (1970–1978)913.409
San Diego Clippers post-season record (1978–1984)00
Los Angeles Clippers post-season record (1984–present)5670.077
All-time post-season record6583.439
All-time regular and post-season record1,9082,600.423

Notes

  1. The formula is:
  2. The team relocated to San Diego, California.
  3. The team relocated to Los Angeles, California.
  4. Due to a lockout, the season did not start until February 5, 1999, and all 29 teams played a shortened 50 game regular season schedule. [15]
  5. Due to a lockout, the season did not start until December 25, 2011 and all 30 teams played a shortened 66 game regular season schedule. [17]
  6. Fell to the 9th seed after losing to the New Orleans Pelicans in the NBA play-in tournament. [27]

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The 1998–99 NBA season was the 29th season of the National Basketball Association in Cleveland, Ohio. On March 23, 1998, the owners of all 29 NBA teams voted 27–2 to reopen the league's collective bargaining agreement, seeking changes to the league's salary cap system, and a ceiling on individual player salaries. The National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) opposed to the owners' plan, and wanted raises for players who earned the league's minimum salary. After both sides failed to reach an agreement, the owners called for a lockout, which began on July 1, 1998, putting a hold on all team trades, free agent signings and training camp workouts, and cancelling many NBA regular season and preseason games. Due to the lockout, the NBA All-Star Game, which was scheduled to be played in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on February 14, 1999, was also cancelled. However, on January 6, 1999, NBA commissioner David Stern, and NBPA director Billy Hunter finally reached an agreement to end the lockout. The deal was approved by both the players and owners, and was signed on January 20, ending the lockout after 204 days. The regular season began on February 5, and was cut short to just 50 games instead of the regular 82-game schedule.

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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 1998–99 NBA season was the Grizzlies' fourth season in the National Basketball Association. On March 23, 1998, the owners of all 29 NBA teams voted 27–2 to reopen the league's collective bargaining agreement, seeking changes to the league's salary cap system, and a ceiling on individual player salaries. The National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) opposed to the owners' plan, and wanted raises for players who earned the league's minimum salary. After both sides failed to reach an agreement, the owners called for a lockout, which began on July 1, 1998, putting a hold on all team trades, free agent signings and training camp workouts, and cancelling many NBA regular season and preseason games. Due to the lockout, the NBA All-Star Game, which was scheduled to be played in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on February 14, 1999, was also cancelled. However, on January 6, 1999, NBA commissioner David Stern, and NBPA director Billy Hunter finally reached an agreement to end the lockout. The deal was approved by both the players and owners, and was signed on January 20, ending the lockout after 204 days. The regular season began on February 5, and was cut short to just 50 games instead of the regular 82-game schedule.

The 1998–99 NBA season was the Clippers' 29th season in the National Basketball Association, and their 15th season in Los Angeles. On March 23, 1998, the owners of all 29 NBA teams voted 27–2 to reopen the league's collective bargaining agreement, seeking changes to the league's salary cap system, and a ceiling on individual player salaries. The National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) opposed to the owners' plan, and wanted raises for players who earned the league's minimum salary. After both sides failed to reach an agreement, the owners called for a lockout, which began on July 1, 1998, putting a hold on all team trades, free agent signings and training camp workouts, and cancelling many NBA regular season and preseason games. Due to the lockout, the NBA All-Star Game, which was scheduled to be played in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on February 14, 1999, was also cancelled. However, on January 6, 1999, NBA commissioner David Stern, and NBPA director Billy Hunter finally reached an agreement to end the lockout. The deal was approved by both the players and owners, and was signed on January 20, ending the lockout after 204 days. The regular season began on February 5, and was cut short to just 50 games instead of the regular 82-game schedule.

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.

References

General
Specific
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  2. "1972–1976 NBA Drafts". The Association for Professional Basketball Research. Retrieved March 10, 2011.
  3. "Los Angeles Clippers Records" (PDF). NBA.com. NBA Media Ventures, LLC. p. 79 (2 of 21). Archived from the original (PDF) on June 28, 2011. Retrieved March 10, 2011.
  4. "Bob McAdoo". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 10, 2011.
  5. Reid, Jason (May 2, 2006). "Series Is a Breakout Hit". Los Angeles Times . Retrieved April 15, 2011.
  6. "SIVault". Turner Sports & Entertainment Digital Network. SI.com. Archived from the original on September 8, 2010. Retrieved April 22, 2011.
  7. Eric Patten (April 7, 2013). "CLIPPERS WIN FIRST PACIFIC DIVISION TITLE". Los Angeles Clippers official website. Retrieved October 5, 2011.
  8. Reid, Jason (February 26, 2006). "Cassell Proves to Be the Real Steal". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 22, 2011.
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  12. "1991–92 Los Angeles Clippers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 10, 2011.
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  15. Donovan, John (February 4, 1999). "Let the semi-season begin: Expect injuries, intensity and a new champion in '99". CNN Sports Illustrated . Retrieved September 4, 2011.
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  17. Beck, Howard (November 28, 2011). "Two Exhibition Games for N.B.A. Teams". The New York Times. Retrieved November 28, 2011.
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  27. "Play-In Game: New Orleans Pelicans at Los Angeles Clippers Box Score, April 15, 2022". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved May 18, 2023.
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