List of Los Angeles Clippers seasons
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.
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 eighteen times; most recently in the 2023–24 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
[edit]Finish | Final position in league or division standings |
GB | Games behind first-place team in division[a] |
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 |
Seasons
[edit]Note: Statistics are correct as of the end of the 2022–23 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 | |||||||||||||||
1970–71 | 1970–71 | NBA | Eastern | 7th | Atlantic | 4th | 22 | 60 | .268 | 30 | — | Dolph Schayes | |||
1971–72 | 1971–72 | NBA | Eastern | 8th | Atlantic | 4th | 22 | 60 | .268 | 34 | — | Dolph Schayes Johnny McCarthy | |||
1972–73 | 1972–73 | NBA | Eastern | 7th | Atlantic | 3rd | 21 | 61 | .256 | 47 | Bob McAdoo (ROY) | Jack Ramsay | |||
1973–74 | 1973–74 | NBA | Eastern | 4th | Atlantic | 3rd | 42 | 40 | .512 | 14 | Lost conference semifinals (Celtics) 4–2[9] | Ernie DiGregorio (ROY) Eddie Donovan (EOY) | |||
1974–75 | 1974–75 | NBA | Eastern | 3rd | Atlantic | 2nd | 49 | 33 | .598 | 11 | Lost conference semifinals (Bullets) 4–3[10] | Bob McAdoo (MVP) | |||
1975–76 | 1975–76 | NBA | Eastern | 5th | Atlantic | 2nd | 46 | 36 | .561 | 8 | Won First round (76ers) 2–1 Lost conference semifinals (Celtics) 4–2[11] |
— | |||
1976–77 | 1976–77 | NBA | Eastern | 10th | Atlantic | 4th | 30 | 52 | .366 | 20 | Adrian Dantley (ROY) | Tates Locke Bob MacKinnon Joe Mullaney | |||
1977–78 | 1977–78 | NBA | Eastern | 10th | Atlantic | 4th | 27 | 55 | .329 | 28 | Randy Smith (ASG MVP) | Cotton Fitzsimmons | |||
San Diego Clippers | |||||||||||||||
1978–79 | 1978–79[b] | NBA | Western | 7th | Pacific | 5th | 43 | 39 | .524 | 9 | — | Gene Shue | |||
1979–80 | 1979–80 | NBA | Western | 7th | Pacific | 5th | 35 | 47 | .427 | 25 | — | ||||
1980–81 | 1980–81 | NBA | Western | 9th | Pacific | 5th | 36 | 46 | .439 | 21 | — | Paul Silas | |||
1981–82 | 1981–82 | NBA | Western | 12th | Pacific | 6th | 17 | 65 | .207 | 40 | — | ||||
1982–83 | 1982–83 | NBA | Western | 11th | Pacific | 6th | 25 | 57 | .305 | 33 | Terry Cummings (ROY) | ||||
1983–84 | 1983–84 | NBA | Western | 11th | Pacific | 6th | 30 | 52 | .366 | 24 | — | Jim Lynam | |||
Los Angeles Clippers | |||||||||||||||
1984–85 | 1984–85[c] | NBA | Western | 11th | Pacific | 4th | 31 | 51 | .378 | 31 | — | Jim Lynam Don Chaney | |||
1985–86 | 1985–86 | NBA | Western | 10th | Pacific | 3rd | 32 | 50 | .390 | 30 | — | Don Chaney | |||
1986–87 | 1986–87 | NBA | Western | 12th | Pacific | 6th | 12 | 70 | .146 | 53 | — | ||||
1987–88 | 1987–88 | NBA | Western | 12th | Pacific | 6th | 17 | 65 | .207 | 45 | — | Gene Shue | |||
1988–89 | 1988–89 | NBA | Western | 11th | Pacific | 7th | 21 | 61 | .256 | 36 | — | Gene Shue Don Casey | |||
1989–90 | 1989–90 | NBA | Western | 11th | Pacific | 6th | 30 | 52 | .366 | 33 | — | Don Casey | |||
1990–91 | 1990–91 | NBA | Western | 10th | Pacific | 6th | 31 | 51 | .378 | 32 | — | Mike Schuler | |||
1991–92 | 1991–92 | NBA | Western | 7th | Pacific | 5th | 45 | 37 | .549 | 12 | Lost First round (Jazz) 3–2[12] | — | Mike Schuler Mack Calvin Larry Brown | ||
1992–93 | 1992–93 | NBA | Western | 7th | Pacific | 4th | 41 | 41 | .500 | 21 | Lost First round (Rockets) 3–2[13] | — | Larry Brown | ||
1993–94 | 1993–94 | NBA | Western | 11th | Pacific | 7th | 27 | 55 | .329 | 36 | — | Bob Weiss | |||
1994–95 | 1994–95 | NBA | Western | 13th | Pacific | 7th | 17 | 65 | .207 | 42 | — | Bill Fitch | |||
1995–96 | 1995–96 | NBA | Western | 11th | Pacific | 7th | 29 | 53 | .354 | 35 | — | ||||
1996–97 | 1996–97 | NBA | Western | 8th | Pacific | 5th | 36 | 46 | .439 | 21 | Lost First round (Jazz) 3–0[14] | — | |||
1997–98 | 1997–98 | NBA | Western | 13th | Pacific | 7th | 17 | 65 | .207 | 44 | — | ||||
1998–99[d] | 1998–99 | NBA | Western | 13th | Pacific | 7th | 9 | 41 | .180 | 26 | — | Chris Ford | |||
1999–00 | 1999–2000 | NBA | Western | 14th | Pacific | 7th | 15 | 67 | .183 | 52 | — | Chris Ford Jim Todd | |||
2000–01 | 2000–01 | NBA | Western | 12th | Pacific | 6th | 31 | 51 | .378 | 25 | — | Alvin Gentry | |||
2001–02 | 2001–02 | NBA | Western | 9th | Pacific | 5th | 39 | 43 | .476 | 22 | — | ||||
2002–03 | 2002–03 | NBA | Western | 13th | Pacific | 7th | 27 | 55 | .329 | 32 | — | Alvin Gentry Dennis Johnson | |||
2003–04 | 2003–04 | NBA | Western | 14th | Pacific | 7th | 28 | 54 | .341 | 28 | — | Mike Dunleavy | |||
2004–05 | 2004–05 | NBA | Western | 10th | Pacific | 3rd | 37 | 45 | .451 | 25 | Bobby Simmons (MIP) | ||||
2005–06 | 2005–06 | NBA | Western | 6th | Pacific | 2nd | 47 | 35 | .573 | 7 | Won First round (Nuggets) 4–1 Lost conference semifinals (Suns) 4–3[16] |
Elgin Baylor (EOY) Elton Brand (SPOR) | |||
2006–07 | 2006–07 | NBA | Western | 9th | Pacific | 4th | 40 | 42 | .488 | 21 | — | ||||
2007–08 | 2007–08 | NBA | Western | 12th | Pacific | 5th | 23 | 59 | .280 | 34 | — | ||||
2008–09 | 2008–09 | NBA | Western | 14th | Pacific | 4th | 19 | 63 | .232 | 46 | — | ||||
2009–10 | 2009–10 | NBA | Western | 12th | Pacific | 3rd | 29 | 53 | .354 | 28 | — | Mike Dunleavy Kim Hughes | |||
2010–11 | 2010–11 | NBA | Western | 13th | Pacific | 4th | 32 | 50 | .390 | 25 | Blake Griffin (ROY) | Vinny Del Negro | |||
2011–12[e] | 2011–12 | NBA | Western | 5th | Pacific | 2nd | 40 | 26 | .606 | 1 | Won First round (Grizzlies) 4–3 Lost conference semifinals (Spurs) 4–0[18] |
— | |||
2012–13 | 2012–13 | NBA | Western | 4th | Pacific | 1st | 56 | 26 | .683 | – | Lost First round (Grizzlies) 4–2[19] | Chris Paul (ASG MVP) | |||
2013–14 | 2013–14 | NBA | Western | 3rd | Pacific | 1st | 57 | 25 | .695 | – | Won First round (Warriors) 4–3 Lost conference semifinals (Thunder) 4–2[20] |
Jamal Crawford (SIX) | Doc Rivers | ||
2014–15 | 2014–15 | NBA | Western | 3rd | Pacific | 2nd | 56 | 26 | .683 | 11 | Won First round (Spurs) 4–3 Lost conference semifinals (Rockets) 4–3[21] |
— | |||
2015–16 | 2015–16 | NBA | Western | 4th | Pacific | 2nd | 53 | 29 | .646 | 20 | Lost First round (Trail Blazers) 4–2[22] | Jamal Crawford (SIX) | |||
2016–17 | 2016–17 | NBA | Western | 4th | Pacific | 2nd | 51 | 31 | .622 | 16 | Lost First round (Jazz) 4–3[23] | — | |||
2017–18 | 2017–18 | NBA | Western | 10th | Pacific | 2nd | 42 | 40 | .512 | 16 | Lou Williams (SIX) | ||||
2018–19 | 2018-19 | NBA | Western | 8th | Pacific | 2nd | 48 | 34 | .585 | 9 | Lost First round (Warriors) 4–2[24] | Lou Williams (SIX) | |||
2019–20 | 2019–20 | NBA | Western | 2nd | Pacific | 2nd | 49 | 23 | .681 | 3.5 | Won 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 | NBA | Western | 4th | Pacific | 2nd | 47 | 25 | .653 | 4 | Won First round (Mavericks) 4–3 Won conference semifinals (Jazz) 4–2 Lost conference finals (Suns) 4–2[26] |
— | Tyronn Lue | ||
2021–22 | 2021–22 | NBA | Western | 9th[f] | Pacific | 3rd | 42 | 40 | .512 | 22 | — | ||||
2022–23 | 2022–23 | NBA | Western | 5th | Pacific | 3rd | 44 | 38 | .537 | 4 | Lost First round (Suns) 4–1[28] | — | |||
2023–24 | 2023–24 | NBA | Western | 4th | Pacific | 1st | 51 | 31 | .622 | – | Lost First round (Mavericks) 4–2 | — |
All-time records
[edit]Note: Statistics are correct as of the end of the 2023–24 season.
Statistic | Wins | Losses | W–L% |
---|---|---|---|
Buffalo Braves regular season record (1970–1978) | 259 | 397 | .395 |
San Diego Clippers regular season record (1978–1984) | 186 | 306 | .378 |
Los Angeles Clippers regular season record (1984–present) | 1,398 | 1,814 | .435 |
All-time regular season record | 1,843 | 2,517 | .423 |
Buffalo Braves post-season record (1970–1978) | 9 | 13 | .409 |
San Diego Clippers post-season record (1978–1984) | 0 | 0 | — |
Los Angeles Clippers post-season record (1984–present) | 56 | 70 | .444 |
All-time post-season record | 65 | 83 | .439 |
All-time regular and post-season record | 1,908 | 2,600 | .423 |
Notes
[edit]- ^ 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.[15]
- ^ 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]
- ^ Fell to the 9th seed after losing to the New Orleans Pelicans in the NBA play-in tournament.[27]
References
[edit]- 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
- ^ a b "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.
- ^ "1972–1976 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.
- ^ "1973–74 Los Angeles Clippers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 25 March 2010. Retrieved 10 March 2011.
- ^ "1974–75 Los Angeles Clippers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on June 29, 2011. Retrieved March 10, 2011.
- ^ "1975–76 Los Angeles Clippers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on June 29, 2011. Retrieved March 10, 2011.
- ^ "1991–92 Los Angeles Clippers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on February 19, 2011. Retrieved March 10, 2011.
- ^ "1992–93 Los Angeles Clippers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on February 21, 2011. Retrieved March 10, 2011.
- ^ "1996–97 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.
- ^ "2005–06 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.
- ^ "2011–12 Los Angeles Clippers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on June 15, 2022. Retrieved June 15, 2022.
- ^ "2012–13 Los Angeles Clippers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on June 15, 2022. Retrieved June 15, 2022.
- ^ "2013–14 Los Angeles Clippers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on June 15, 2022. Retrieved June 15, 2022.
- ^ "2014–15 Los Angeles Clippers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on June 15, 2022. Retrieved June 15, 2022.
- ^ "2015–16 Los Angeles Clippers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on June 15, 2022. Retrieved June 15, 2022.
- ^ "2016–17 Los Angeles Clippers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on June 15, 2022. Retrieved June 15, 2022.
- ^ "2018–19 Los Angeles Clippers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on June 23, 2019. Retrieved June 15, 2022.
- ^ "2018–20 Los Angeles Clippers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on June 15, 2022. Retrieved June 15, 2022.
- ^ "2020–21 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.
- ^ "2022–23 Los Angeles Clippers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on April 6, 2023. Retrieved April 25, 2023.