No Dunks Allowed

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

The Clippers' journey began as the Buffalo Braves in 1970, one of three NBA expansion teams that season. Led by Hall of Famer Bob McAdoo, who led the league in scoring for three straight seasons and won MVP in 1974–75, the Braves reached the playoffs three times in eight years. But scheduling conflicts with the Canisius Golden Griffins at Buffalo Memorial Auditorium forced a sale and eventual relocation to San Diego in 1978, where the team rebranded as the Clippers. The San Diego years were marked by futility—no playoff appearances in six seasons—despite stars like World B. Free, who finished second in NBA scoring in 1978–79 with 28.9 points per game. In 1984, owner Donald Sterling moved the franchise to Los Angeles without NBA approval, sparking legal battles. For 27 seasons in LA (1984–2011), the Clippers made the playoffs only five times (1992, 1993, 1997, 2006, and 2012) and won just one playoff round, earning a reputation as perennial losers compared to the Lakers. The 2010s brought a turnaround with the 'Lob City' lineup of Blake Griffin, DeAndre Jordan, and Chris Paul, leading to six straight playoff appearances from 2012 to 2017 and back-to-back division titles in 2013 and 2014. Despite this, the team struggled in the postseason, reaching the conference finals for the first time in 2021. To date, they are the oldest NBA franchise to have never reached the NBA Finals.

In Their Own Story

The lights of Intuit Dome hummed with anticipation as the crowd stood for the opening tip-off. There was no rulebook restricting flight here; only the sound of sneakers squeaking on hardwood and the roar of fans hoping for another highlight-reel dunk. A veteran player caught an alley-oop, soaring above the rim before slamming the ball down, silencing any doubt about what this team stood for.

Reader's Guide

The Clippers play at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, beginning with the 2024–25 NBA season. Previously, they played at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles from 1999 to 2024, sharing it with the Lakers, Sparks, and Kings. The fanbase has grown significantly since the early 2010s, becoming more diverse and engaged. Iconic chants often reference the team's resilience rather than specific rules like 'No Dunks'. The culture emphasizes patience and support through ups and downs. In LA sports culture, the Clippers represent a counter-narrative to the Lakers' dynasty history, focusing on modern building blocks and community connection.

Did You Know?

• The Clippers were originally the Buffalo Braves, one of three NBA expansion teams in 1970–71, alongside the Portland Trail Blazers and Cleveland Cavaliers.
• Bob McAdoo led the NBA in scoring for three consecutive seasons and was named MVP in 1974–75 while with the Braves.
• The team's name 'Clippers' was chosen by a local contest in San Diego in 1978, referencing sailing ships in San Diego Bay.
• Owner Donald Sterling was fined $10,000 in 1982 for publicly guaranteeing the Clippers would lose enough games to get a high draft pick.
• The Clippers are the oldest NBA franchise to have never reached the NBA Finals.

Origins and Relocation

The franchise originated in Western New York as the Buffalo Braves in 1970, one of three NBA expansion teams that began play in the 1970–71 season, along with the Portland Trail Blazers and Cleveland Cavaliers. They played home games at the Buffalo Memorial Auditorium, sharing it with the NHL's Buffalo Sabres. Under coach Jack Ramsay and star center Bob McAdoo, who led the NBA in scoring for three consecutive seasons and was named MVP in 1974–75, the Braves qualified for the playoffs three times in a row, losing twice to eventual Eastern Conference champions (the Boston Celtics in 1974 and 1976, and the Washington Bullets in 1975). However, scheduling conflicts with the Canisius Golden Griffins, who had a pre-existing lease and priority on game dates, made it impossible to secure home dates. After a failed attempt to sell the team to an owner who intended to move it to South Florida, owner Paul Snyder sold to John Y. Brown, Jr., who traded away stars and drove attendance down. In 1978, Brown met with Celtics owner Irv Levin to swap franchise ownerships; Levin, a Southern California resident, moved the Braves to San Diego, citing a shorter commute as a key reason.

The San Diego Era

In 1978, the Braves franchise moved to San Diego, where a local naming contest chose 'Clippers' in reference to sailing ships in San Diego Bay. The first head coach was Gene Shue, who favored a fast playing style. Only three players from the Braves remained: Randy Smith, Swen Nater, and Scott Lloyd. World B. Free was acquired from the Philadelphia 76ers. The 1978–79 season started poorly, with the first win in the fourth game and 12 losses in the first 18 games. The worst loss was 163–125 to the San Antonio Spurs. Free finished second in NBA scoring with 28.9 points per game. The team improved to win eight straight games and then five more, finishing 43–39, two wins shy of a playoff spot. The 1979–80 season saw the addition of center Bill Walton, a San Diego native and former NBA MVP, but he missed 68 games due to foot injuries; the team finished 35–47. Paul Silas replaced Shue as head coach the next season, and the Clippers finished 36–46, again missing the postseason. In 1981–82, Donald Sterling bought the team for $12.5 million, and the Clippers went 17–65. Sterling was fined $10,000 for guaranteeing losses to get a high draft pick, and he violated league rules by flying players in coach seats. The team missed the playoffs in all six San Diego seasons.

Los Angeles Struggles

In 1984, owner Donald Sterling controversially relocated the franchise to Los Angeles without NBA approval, which was permitted following legal action between the league and Sterling. Over the course of their first 27 seasons in Los Angeles, the Clippers qualified for the postseason only four times and won a single playoff round. As a result, they have been frequently described as a perennial loser in American professional sports, drawing unfavorable comparisons to the historically successful Lakers. They played home games at Crypto.com Arena from 1999 to 2024, sharing it with the Lakers, Sparks, and Kings.

Modern Contention and Legacy

The Clippers' reputation improved during the 2010s, which saw them transform into consistent postseason contenders. Aided by the Lob City lineup of Blake Griffin, DeAndre Jordan, and Chris Paul, the team qualified for the playoffs in six consecutive seasons from 2012 to 2017 and won two consecutive division titles in 2013 and 2014, both firsts for the franchise. Despite this success, the Clippers struggled in the postseason and were frequently eliminated in the Conference Semifinals; the team reached the conference finals for the first time in 2021. To date, they are the oldest franchise in North American professional sports to have never played in a championship game. The team plays its home games at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, beginning with the 2024–25 NBA season.