Los Angeles Clippers Basketball: Schedule, Roster, and Strengths/Weaknesses

Estimated read time 9 min read

The Los Angeles Clippers were founded in 1970 as the Buffalo Braves and played in Buffalo, New York for their first eight seasons. In 1978, the team moved to San Diego, California and became the San Diego Clippers. The Clippers moved to Los Angeles in 1984.

The Clippers have made the playoffs 16 times, but have never won an NBA championship. They came closest in 2014-15, when they lost to the Houston Rockets in the Western Conference Finals.

  • Team Name: The Los Angeles Clippers are a professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California.
  • Short Name: The Clippers are often referred to as the “Clips”.
  • Team Owner(s): The Clippers are owned by Steve Ballmer, the former CEO of Microsoft.
  • Prominent Players: Some of the Clippers’ most prominent players include Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, Nicolas Batum, Reggie Jackson, and Marcus Morris Sr.

The Clippers play their home games at Crypto.com Arena, which they share with the Los Angeles Lakers. The Clippers are planning to move into their own arena, the Intuit Dome, in Inglewood, California in 2024.

History about Clippers Basketball Team

  • Founded: 1970, as the Buffalo Braves
  • Moved to San Diego: 1978
  • Moved to Los Angeles: 1984
  • First playoff appearance: 1974
  • First division title: 2013
  • First Western Conference Finals appearance: 2021

Here are some of the team’s most notable moments in history year wise:

  • 1970: The Buffalo Braves are founded.
  • 1974: The Braves make their first playoff appearance, losing to the Boston Celtics in the first round.
  • 1978: The Braves move to San Diego.
  • 1983: The Clippers draft Danny Manning with the first overall pick in the NBA draft.
  • 1984: The Clippers move to Los Angeles.
  • 1992: The Clippers win 45 games and make their first playoff appearance since moving to Los Angeles.
  • 2005: The Clippers win 47 games and make their second playoff appearance since moving to Los Angeles.
  • 2011: The Clippers acquire Chris Paul in a trade with the New Orleans Hornets.
  • 2012: The Clippers win 56 games and make their first playoff appearance since 2006.
  • 2013: The Clippers win their first division title and make their first Western Conference Finals appearance.
  • 2014: The Clippers lose to the Houston Rockets in the Western Conference Finals.
  • 2015: The Clippers lose to the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference semifinals.
  • 2017: The Clippers trade Chris Paul to the Houston Rockets.
  • 2019: The Clippers acquire Kawhi Leonard and Paul George in free agency.
  • 2021: The Clippers make their second Western Conference Finals appearance, losing to the Phoenix Suns.

The Clippers have a long and storied history, but they have yet to win an NBA championship. However, they have been one of the most exciting teams in the league in recent years, and they are poised to make a deep playoff run in the near future.

Coaching Staff Information about Clippers Basketball Team

Head Coach:

  • Tyronn Lue

Lue is a former NBA player who played for 11 seasons. He won two NBA championships as a player, with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2000 and 2001. Lue began his coaching career as an assistant coach with the Boston Celtics in 2012. He was then hired as the head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2014. Lue led the Cavaliers to the NBA championship in 2016, becoming the first African-American head coach to win an NBA championship. Lue’s coaching philosophy is based on defensive intensity and ball movement. He is known for his ability to connect with players and get the most out of them.

Assistant Coaches:

  • Dan Craig

Craig is a former NBA player who played for four seasons. He began his coaching career as an assistant coach with the Miami Heat in 2008. He was then hired as an assistant coach with the Los Angeles Clippers in 2019. Craig is known for his defensive expertise. He is also a strong communicator and is able to relate to players on a personal level.

  • Larry Drew

Drew is a former NBA player who played for 13 seasons. He began his coaching career as an assistant coach with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2005. He was then hired as the head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks in 2013 and the Atlanta Hawks in 2014. Drew is known for his offensive creativity and his ability to get the most out of his players. He is also a strong leader and motivator.

  • Brian Shaw

Shaw is a former NBA player who played for 14 seasons. He began his coaching career as an assistant coach with the Denver Nuggets in 2004. He was then hired as the head coach of the Denver Nuggets in 2013 and the Los Angeles Lakers in 2016. Shaw is known for his defensive expertise and his ability to develop young players. He is also a strong communicator and is able to relate to players on a personal level.

  • Jay Larranaga

Larranaga is a former college basketball coach who has most recently served as an assistant coach for the Boston Celtics. He is the son of former college basketball coach Jim Larranaga. Larranaga is known for his offensive expertise and his ability to develop young players. He is also a strong communicator and is able to relate to players on a personal level.

  • Shaun Fein

Fein is a former NBA player who played for two seasons. He began his coaching career as an assistant coach with the Golden State Warriors in 2011. He was then hired as an assistant coach with the Los Angeles Clippers in 2020. Fein is known for his defensive expertise and his ability to develop young players. He is also a strong communicator and is able to relate to players on a personal level.

  • Jeremy Castleberry

Castleberry is a former college basketball player who has most recently served as an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Clippers. Castleberry is known for his player development skills and his ability to connect with players on a personal level. He is also a strong communicator and is able to relate to players on a personal level.

Clippers Basketball Team information about players

NameJerseyPositionHeightWeightYear graduated from high school2K23 rating
Kawhi Leonard2Forward6’7″230 lbs201197
Paul George13Forward6’9″220 lbs201095
Nicolas Batum33Forward6’8″225 lbs200887
Reggie Jackson1Guard6’3″190 lbs201182
Marcus Morris Sr.8Forward6’9″250 lbs201180
Terance Mann14Guard6’6″210 lbs201879
Ivica Zubac40Center7’1″250 lbs201478
Eric Bledsoe6Guard6’1″190 lbs200977
Luke Kennard5Guard6’5″210 lbs201776
Amir Coffey29Guard6’7″220 lbs201975

Clippers Basketball Team’s last 10 years of records

SeasonWinsLossesWin%Playoffs
2022-20234438.545Lost in First Round
2021-20224240.529Lost in Western Conference Finals
2020-20214725.660Lost in Western Conference Semi-finals
2019-20204933.600Lost in First Round
2018-20194834.586Lost in First Round
2017-20184240.529Did not qualify for playoffs
2016-20175131.622Lost in First Round
2015-20165329.636Lost in Western Conference Semi-finals
2014-20155626.684Lost in Western Conference Finals

As you can see, the Clippers have had a lot of ups and downs over the past 10 years. They have made the playoffs four times, but have never advanced past the Western Conference Semi-finals. They will be looking to build on their recent success and make a deep playoff run in the 2023-2024 season.

Season Preview: Clippers Basketball Team

Major changes to the roster: 

The Clippers made a few minor changes to their roster in the offseason, but the biggest change was the addition of Keon Johnson. Johnson is a young, athletic guard who should provide the Clippers with some much-needed scoring and defense.

Team’s strengths: 

The Clippers have a lot of strengths, but their two biggest strengths are their star duo of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. Leonard and George are two of the best players in the NBA, and they give the Clippers a top-10 offense and defense.

Team’s weaknesses:

 The Clippers’ biggest weakness is their depth. They don’t have a lot of quality depth behind their stars, and that could hurt them if Leonard or George gets injured.

Potential challenges they may face: 

The Clippers will face a lot of challenges in the upcoming season. The Western Conference is stacked, and the Clippers will have to fight for a playoff spot. They will also have to deal with the expectations that come with having two of the best players in the NBA.

Upcoming games:

DateOpponentLocationTime (ET)
October 21Oklahoma City ThunderCrypto.com Arena7:30 PM
October 23Utah JazzCrypto.com Arena7:30 PM
October 25Memphis GrizzliesCrypto.com Arena7:30 PM
October 28Phoenix SunsFootprint Center7:00 PM
October 29Dallas MavericksCrypto.com Arena7:30 PM
October 31Houston RocketsCrypto.com Arena7:30 PM
November 2Oklahoma City ThunderPaycom Center7:00 PM
November 4Utah JazzVivint Arena7:00 PM
November 6Memphis GrizzliesFedExForum7:00 PM
November 8Phoenix SunsCrypto.com Arena7:30 PM
November 10Dallas MavericksAmerican Airlines Center8:30 PM
November 12Houston RocketsToyota Center8:00 PM
November 14Toronto RaptorsCrypto.com Arena7:30 PM
November 16Milwaukee BucksFiserv Forum8:00 PM
November 18Chicago BullsCrypto.com Arena7:30 PM
November 20Brooklyn NetsCrypto.com Arena7:30 PM
November 22Boston CelticsTD Garden7:30 PM
November 24New York KnicksCrypto.com Arena7:30 PM
November 26Detroit PistonsCrypto.com Arena7:30 PM
November 28Sacramento KingsCrypto.com Arena7:30 PM
November 30Denver NuggetsCrypto.com Arena7:30 PM

FAQs about the Clippers Basketball team

What is the Clippers’ home arena?

The Clippers’ home arena is Crypto.com Arena, which they share with the Los Angeles Lakers. Crypto.com Arena is located in downtown Los Angeles.

Who is the Clippers’ head coach?

The Clippers’ head coach is Tyronn Lue. Lue is a former NBA player who won two NBA championships as a player, with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2000 and 2001. He also won an NBA championship as a head coach, with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016.

Who are the Clippers’ key players?

The Clippers’ key players include Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, Nicolas Batum, Reggie Jackson, and Marcus Morris Sr. Leonard and George are two of the best players in the NBA, and they give the Clippers a top-10 offense and defense. Batum is a versatile forward who can score, rebound, and defend. Jackson is a scoring guard who can create his own shot. Morris Sr. is a physical forward who can score inside and outside.

What are the Clippers’ biggest strengths?

The Clippers’ biggest strengths are their star duo of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. Leonard and George are two of the best players in the NBA, and they give the Clippers a top-10 offense and defense. The Clippers also have a deep bench, which gives them depth in case of injuries.

What are the Clippers’ biggest weaknesses?

The Clippers’ biggest weakness is their lack of size. They don’t have a lot of big men who can defend the rim. The Clippers also have a young roster, which means they may lack experience in some situations.

You May Also Like