Los Angeles Clippers

The other LA team. Lob City, then Kawhi and PG, now a contender with a new arena.

The story

The other LA team and a curse it keeps fighting

Born in 1970 as the Buffalo Braves, the Clippers spent decades as the league's hard-luck story, often the worst team in the sport and always in the Lakers' shadow.

Lob City, with Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan, brought highlights and hope in the 2010s but never a conference finals. Steve Ballmer's ownership and a new arena promised a fresh start.

The Kawhi Leonard and Paul George era finally broke through to a conference finals, but injuries have repeatedly stolen the best chance. The Clippers keep pushing against their own history.

The early Buffalo and San Diego years gave the league Bob McAdoo and World B. Free, but relocation and decades of mismanagement made the Clippers a punchline long before they were a contender.

For the fans

You choose the harder road on purpose. Clippers fans are stubborn romantics who believe this is finally the year.

For the punters

A roster built around stars who miss time, so injury and rest news swings the line more than almost any team. Check availability before you bet.

See the Clippers odds board →Rivalries: Lakers · Warriors

Power rank

trend -2

Record

30-24

Conference

West

Division