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 1970β71 season. The Braves movedββto San Diego, California after the 1977β78 season, and became known as the "San Diego Clippers." For the 1984β85 NBA season, the Clippers moved northββto Los Angeles. And became known as the Los Angeles Clippers.
On October 14, "1970," the Braves beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 107β92 in their first game. In the 1972 NBA draft, the Braves selected Bob McAdoo, who later won such awards as Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player. During McAdoo's years (1972β76) with the franchise, 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 2020β21 season. They passed the first round of the playoffs seven times (1975β76, 2005β06, 2011β12, 2013β14, 2014β15, 2019β20 and 2020β21). The Clippers have never won league. Or Conference titles. Their 51-year drought between entering Western Conference finals (before doing so in 2020β21) is: one of the longest in league history and the 30-year drought between winning playoffs round (before doing so in 2005β06) is the longest in league history. They also have only sixteen seasons with a winning percentage of .500/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". A decade later, the additions of Blake Griffin and Chris Paul helped them win their first division title during the 2012β13 season, their 43rd year in the league, and they repeated the feat the following year. 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 keyβ»
Finish | Final position in league or division standings |
GB | Games behind first-place team in division |
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 |
Seasonsβ»
Note: Statistics are correct as of the end of the 2022β23 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 | |||||||||||||||
1970β71 | 1970β71 | NBA | Eastern | 7th | Atlantic | 4th | 22 | 60 | .268 | 30 | β | Dolph Schayes | |||
1971β72 | 1971β72 | NBA | Eastern | 8th | Atlantic | 4th | 22 | 60 | .268 | 34 | β | Dolph Schayes Johnny McCarthy | |||
1972β73 | 1972β73 | NBA | Eastern | 7th | Atlantic | 3rd | 21 | 61 | .256 | 47 | Bob McAdoo (ROY) | Jack Ramsay | |||
1973β74 | 1973β74 | NBA | Eastern | 4th | Atlantic | 3rd | 42 | 40 | .512 | 14 | Lost conference semifinals (Celtics) 4β2 | Ernie DiGregorio (ROY) Eddie Donovan (EOY) | |||
1974β75 | 1974β75 | NBA | Eastern | 3rd | Atlantic | 2nd | 49 | 33 | .598 | 11 | Lost conference semifinals (Bullets) 4β3 | Bob McAdoo (MVP) | |||
1975β76 | 1975β76 | NBA | Eastern | 5th | Atlantic | 2nd | 46 | 36 | .561 | 8 | Won First round (76ers) 2β1 Lost conference semifinals (Celtics) 4β2 |
β | |||
1976β77 | 1976β77 | NBA | Eastern | 10th | Atlantic | 4th | 30 | 52 | .366 | 20 | Adrian Dantley (ROY) | Tates Locke Bob MacKinnon Joe Mullaney | |||
1977β78 | 1977β78 | NBA | Eastern | 10th | Atlantic | 4th | 27 | 55 | .329 | 28 | Randy Smith (ASG MVP) | Cotton Fitzsimmons | |||
San Diego Clippers | |||||||||||||||
1978β79 | 1978β79 | NBA | Western | 7th | Pacific | 5th | 43 | 39 | .524 | 9 | β | Gene Shue | |||
1979β80 | 1979β80 | NBA | Western | 7th | Pacific | 5th | 35 | 47 | .427 | 25 | β | ||||
1980β81 | 1980β81 | NBA | Western | 9th | Pacific | 5th | 36 | 46 | .439 | 21 | β | Paul Silas | |||
1981β82 | 1981β82 | NBA | Western | 12th | Pacific | 6th | 17 | 65 | .207 | 40 | β | ||||
1982β83 | 1982β83 | NBA | Western | 11th | Pacific | 6th | 25 | 57 | .305 | 33 | Terry Cummings (ROY) | ||||
1983β84 | 1983β84 | NBA | Western | 11th | Pacific | 6th | 30 | 52 | .366 | 24 | β | Jim Lynam | |||
Los Angeles Clippers | |||||||||||||||
1984β85 | 1984β85 | NBA | Western | 11th | Pacific | 4th | 31 | 51 | .378 | 31 | β | Jim Lynam Don Chaney | |||
1985β86 | 1985β86 | NBA | Western | 10th | Pacific | 3rd | 32 | 50 | .390 | 30 | β | Don Chaney | |||
1986β87 | 1986β87 | NBA | Western | 12th | Pacific | 6th | 12 | 70 | .146 | 53 | β | ||||
1987β88 | 1987β88 | NBA | Western | 12th | Pacific | 6th | 17 | 65 | .207 | 45 | β | Gene Shue | |||
1988β89 | 1988β89 | NBA | Western | 11th | Pacific | 7th | 21 | 61 | .256 | 36 | β | Gene Shue Don Casey | |||
1989β90 | 1989β90 | NBA | Western | 11th | Pacific | 6th | 30 | 52 | .366 | 33 | β | Don Casey | |||
1990β91 | 1990β91 | NBA | Western | 10th | Pacific | 6th | 31 | 51 | .378 | 32 | β | Mike Schuler | |||
1991β92 | 1991β92 | NBA | Western | 7th | Pacific | 5th | 45 | 37 | .549 | 12 | Lost First round (Jazz) 3β2 | β | Mike Schuler Mack Calvin Larry Brown | ||
1992β93 | 1992β93 | NBA | Western | 7th | Pacific | 4th | 41 | 41 | .500 | 21 | Lost First round (Rockets) 3β2 | β | Larry Brown | ||
1993β94 | 1993β94 | NBA | Western | 11th | Pacific | 7th | 27 | 55 | .329 | 36 | β | Bob Weiss | |||
1994β95 | 1994β95 | NBA | Western | 13th | Pacific | 7th | 17 | 65 | .207 | 42 | β | Bill Fitch | |||
1995β96 | 1995β96 | NBA | Western | 11th | Pacific | 7th | 29 | 53 | .354 | 35 | β | ||||
1996β97 | 1996β97 | NBA | Western | 8th | Pacific | 5th | 36 | 46 | .439 | 21 | Lost First round (Jazz) 3β0 | β | |||
1997β98 | 1997β98 | NBA | Western | 13th | Pacific | 7th | 17 | 65 | .207 | 44 | β | ||||
1998β99 | 1998β99 | NBA | Western | 13th | Pacific | 7th | 9 | 41 | .180 | 26 | β | Chris Ford | |||
1999β00 | 1999β2000 | NBA | Western | 14th | Pacific | 7th | 15 | 67 | .183 | 52 | β | Chris Ford Jim Todd | |||
2000β01 | 2000β01 | NBA | Western | 12th | Pacific | 6th | 31 | 51 | .378 | 25 | β | Alvin Gentry | |||
2001β02 | 2001β02 | NBA | Western | 9th | Pacific | 5th | 39 | 43 | .476 | 22 | β | ||||
2002β03 | 2002β03 | NBA | Western | 13th | Pacific | 7th | 27 | 55 | .329 | 32 | β | Alvin Gentry Dennis Johnson | |||
2003β04 | 2003β04 | NBA | Western | 14th | Pacific | 7th | 28 | 54 | .341 | 28 | β | Mike Dunleavy | |||
2004β05 | 2004β05 | NBA | Western | 10th | Pacific | 3rd | 37 | 45 | .451 | 25 | Bobby Simmons (MIP) | ||||
2005β06 | 2005β06 | NBA | Western | 6th | Pacific | 2nd | 47 | 35 | .573 | 7 | Won First round (Nuggets) 4β1 Lost conference semifinals (Suns) 4β3 |
Elgin Baylor (EOY) Elton Brand (SPOR) | |||
2006β07 | 2006β07 | NBA | Western | 9th | Pacific | 4th | 40 | 42 | .488 | 21 | β | ||||
2007β08 | 2007β08 | NBA | Western | 12th | Pacific | 5th | 23 | 59 | .280 | 34 | β | ||||
2008β09 | 2008β09 | NBA | Western | 14th | Pacific | 4th | 19 | 63 | .232 | 46 | β | ||||
2009β10 | 2009β10 | NBA | Western | 12th | Pacific | 3rd | 29 | 53 | .354 | 28 | β | Mike Dunleavy Kim Hughes | |||
2010β11 | 2010β11 | NBA | Western | 13th | Pacific | 4th | 32 | 50 | .390 | 25 | Blake Griffin (ROY) | Vinny Del Negro | |||
2011β12 | 2011β12 | NBA | Western | 5th | Pacific | 2nd | 40 | 26 | .606 | 1 | Won First round (Grizzlies) 4β3 Lost conference semifinals (Spurs) 4β0 |
β | |||
2012β13 | 2012β13 | NBA | Western | 4th | Pacific | 1st | 56 | 26 | .683 | β | Lost First round (Grizzlies) 4β2 | Chris Paul (ASG MVP) | |||
2013β14 | 2013β14 | NBA | Western | 3rd | Pacific | 1st | 57 | 25 | .695 | β | Won First round (Warriors) 4β3 Lost conference semifinals (Thunder) 4β2 |
Jamal Crawford (SIX) | Doc Rivers | ||
2014β15 | 2014β15 | NBA | Western | 3rd | Pacific | 2nd | 56 | 26 | .683 | 11 | Won First round (Spurs) 4β3 Lost conference semifinals (Rockets) 4β3 |
β | |||
2015β16 | 2015β16 | NBA | Western | 4th | Pacific | 2nd | 53 | 29 | .646 | 20 | Lost First round (Trail Blazers) 4β2 | Jamal Crawford (SIX) | |||
2016β17 | 2016β17 | NBA | Western | 4th | Pacific | 2nd | 51 | 31 | .622 | 16 | Lost First round (Jazz) 4β3 | β | |||
2017β18 | 2017β18 | NBA | Western | 10th | Pacific | 2nd | 42 | 40 | .512 | 16 | Lou Williams (SIX) | ||||
2018β19 | 2018-19 | NBA | Western | 8th | Pacific | 2nd | 48 | 34 | .585 | 9 | Lost First round (Warriors) 4β2 | Lou Williams (SIX) | |||
2019β20 | 2019β20 | NBA | Western | 2nd | Pacific | 2nd | 49 | 23 | .681 | 3.5 | Won First round (Mavericks) 4β2 Lost conference semifinals (Nuggets) 4β3 |
Montrezl Harrell (SIX) Lawrence Frank (EOY) Kawhi Leonard (ASG MVP) | |||
2020β21 | 2020β21 | NBA | Western | 4th | Pacific | 2nd | 47 | 25 | .653 | 4 | Won First round (Mavericks) 4β3 Won conference semifinals (Jazz) 4β2 Lost conference finals (Suns) 4β2 |
β | Tyronn Lue | ||
2021β22 | 2021β22 | NBA | Western | 9th | Pacific | 3rd | 42 | 40 | .512 | 22 | β | ||||
2022β23 | 2022β23 | NBA | Western | 5th | Pacific | 3rd | 44 | 38 | .537 | 4 | Lost First round (Suns) 4β1 | β | |||
2023β24 | 2023β24 | NBA | Western | 4th | Pacific | 1st | 51 | 31 | .622 | β | Lost First round (Mavericks) 4β2 | β |
All-time recordsβ»
Note: Statistics are correct as of the end of the 2023β24 season.
Statistic | Wins | Losses | WβL% |
---|---|---|---|
Buffalo Braves regular season record (1970β1978) | 259 | 397 | .395 |
San Diego Clippers regular season record (1978β1984) | 186 | 306 | .378 |
Los Angeles Clippers regular season record (1984βpresent) | 1,398 | 1,814 | .435 |
All-time regular season record | 1,843 | 2,517 | .423 |
Buffalo Braves post-season record (1970β1978) | 9 | 13 | .409 |
San Diego Clippers post-season record (1978β1984) | 0 | 0 | β |
Los Angeles Clippers post-season record (1984βpresent) | 56 | 70 | .444 |
All-time post-season record | 65 | 83 | .439 |
All-time regular and post-season record | 1,908 | 2,600 | .423 |
Notesβ»
- ^ The formula is:
- ^ The team relocated to San Diego, California.
- ^ The team relocated to Los Angeles, California.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Fell to the 9th seed after losing to the New Orleans Pelicans in the NBA play-in tournament.
Referencesβ»
- General
- "Los Angeles Clippers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on July 4, 2011. Retrieved March 10, 2011.
- "Season Recaps". NBA.com. NBA Media Ventures, LLC. Archived from the original on April 11, 2013. Retrieved March 10, 2011.
- Specific
- ^ "The Official Page of the Buffalo Braves". NBA.com. NBA Media Ventures, LLC. Archived from the original on June 28, 2011. Retrieved March 10, 2011.
- ^ "1972β1976 NBA Drafts". The Association for Professional Basketball Research. Archived from the original on September 17, 2010. Retrieved March 10, 2011.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Bob McAdoo". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on May 12, 2013. Retrieved March 10, 2011.
- ^ Reid, Jason (May 2, 2006). "Series Is a Breakout Hit". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on November 6, 2012. Retrieved April 15, 2011.
- ^ "SIVault". Turner Sports & Entertainment Digital Network. SI.com. Archived from the original on September 8, 2010. Retrieved April 22, 2011.
- ^ Eric Patten (April 7, 2013). "CLIPPERS WIN FIRST PACIFIC DIVISION TITLE". Los Angeles Clippers official website. Archived from the original on April 11, 2013. Retrieved October 5, 2011.
- ^ Reid, Jason (February 26, 2006). "Cassell Proves to Be the Real Steal". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 22, 2011.
- ^ "1973β74 Los Angeles Clippers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 25 March 2010. Retrieved 10 March 2011.
- ^ "1974β75 Los Angeles Clippers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on June 29, 2011. Retrieved March 10, 2011.
- ^ "1975β76 Los Angeles Clippers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on June 29, 2011. Retrieved March 10, 2011.
- ^ "1991β92 Los Angeles Clippers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on February 19, 2011. Retrieved March 10, 2011.
- ^ "1992β93 Los Angeles Clippers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on February 21, 2011. Retrieved March 10, 2011.
- ^ "1996β97 Los Angeles Clippers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on February 3, 2011. Retrieved March 10, 2011.
- ^ Donovan, John (February 4, 1999). "Let the semi-season begin: Expect injuries, intensity and a new champion in '99". CNN Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on June 22, 2011. Retrieved September 4, 2011.
- ^ "2005β06 Los Angeles Clippers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on March 1, 2011. Retrieved March 10, 2011.
- ^ Beck, Howard (November 28, 2011). "Two Exhibition Games for N.B.A. Teams". The New York Times. Archived from the original on October 12, 2013. Retrieved November 28, 2011.
- ^ "2011β12 Los Angeles Clippers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on June 15, 2022. Retrieved June 15, 2022.
- ^ "2012β13 Los Angeles Clippers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on June 15, 2022. Retrieved June 15, 2022.
- ^ "2013β14 Los Angeles Clippers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on June 15, 2022. Retrieved June 15, 2022.
- ^ "2014β15 Los Angeles Clippers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on June 15, 2022. Retrieved June 15, 2022.
- ^ "2015β16 Los Angeles Clippers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on June 15, 2022. Retrieved June 15, 2022.
- ^ "2016β17 Los Angeles Clippers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on June 15, 2022. Retrieved June 15, 2022.
- ^ "2018β19 Los Angeles Clippers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on June 23, 2019. Retrieved June 15, 2022.
- ^ "2018β20 Los Angeles Clippers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on June 15, 2022. Retrieved June 15, 2022.
- ^ "2020β21 Los Angeles Clippers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on June 15, 2022. Retrieved June 15, 2022.
- ^ "Play-In Game: New Orleans Pelicans at Los Angeles Clippers Box Score, April 15, 2022". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on May 18, 2023. Retrieved May 18, 2023.
- ^ "2022β23 Los Angeles Clippers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on April 6, 2023. Retrieved April 25, 2023.