Los Angeles Clippers
History 1971-2021 (51 seasons)

Teams Los Angeles Clippers

The franchise was founded as the Buffalo Braves in 1970 as an expansion team. Led by Hall of Famer Bob McAdoo, the Braves reached the NBA playoffs three times during their eight seasons in Buffalo. Conflicts with the Canisius Golden Griffins over the Buffalo Memorial Auditorium and the sale of the franchise led to their relocation from Buffalo to San Diego, California in 1978 and subsequent rebranding as the San Diego Clippers, in reference to the sailing ships seen in San Diego Bay. The team saw little success on the court and missed the playoffs during all six of their years in San Diego. 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. They were frequently considered a perennial loser in American professional sports, drawing unfavorable comparisons to the historically successful Lakers. 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. They are the league's oldest franchise to have never played in the NBA Finals.

The franchise was founded as the Buffalo Braves in 1970 as an expansion team. Led by Hall of Famer Bob McAdoo, the Braves reached the NBA playoffs three times during their eight seasons in Buffalo. Conflicts with the Canisius Golden Griffins over the Buffalo Memorial Auditorium and the sale of the franchise led to their relocation from Buffalo to San Diego, California in 1978 and subsequent rebranding as the San Diego Clippers, in reference to the sailing ships seen in San Diego Bay. The team saw little success on the court and missed the playoffs during all six of their years in San Diego. 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. They were frequently considered a perennial loser in American professional sports, drawing unfavorable comparisons to the historically successful Lakers. 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. They are the league's oldest franchise to have never played in the NBA Finals.

2012 Los Angeles Clippers

1971-2021 (51 seasons)

Los Angeles Clippers Team History

All-time franchise record

1706-2408 (.415)

0 championships in 0 appearances

Franchise History

1985-2021

Los Angeles Clippers (NBA)

1979-1984

San Diego Clippers (NBA)

1971-1978

Buffalo Braves (NBA)

Top Seasons

Year Record Result

2021 47-25 Lost Conference Finals

2020 49-23 Lost Conference Semifinals

2015 56-26 Lost Conference Semifinals

2014 57-25 Lost Conference Semifinals

2013 56-26 Lost First Round

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Last 5 Seasons

Year Record Result

2021 47-25 Lost Conference Finals

2020 49-23 Lost Conference Semifinals

2019 48-34 Lost First Round

2018 42-40 Missed Playoffs

2017 51-31 Lost First Round

View All Clippers Seasons

1st Round Draft Picks

Year Rd/Pick Player

2021 1 / 25 Quentin Grimes SG

2018 1 / 12 Miles Bridges SF

2018 1 / 13 Jerome Robinson SG

2016 1 / 25 Brice Johnson PF

2014 1 / 28 C. J. Wilcox SG

View All Clippers Draft Picks

Longest Serving GM's

Tenure Years General Manager

1987-07 21 Elgin Baylor

1971-75 5 Eddie Donovan

2014-17 4 Dave Wohl

2018-21 4 Michael Winger

2008-10 3 Mike Dunleavy

View All Clippers General Managers

Team Owners

Tenure Years Owner

2015-21 7 Steve Ballmer

1982-14 33 Donald Sterling

1979-81 3 Irv Levin

1977-78 2 John Y. Brown, Jr.

1971-76 6 Paul Snyder

View All Clippers Owners

Related Content

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F i l t e r & S o r t

Los Angeles Clippers Media Guidepublication

Los Angeles Clippers Media Guide

55 issues 1971-2025

This media guide is a comprehensive resource created by the team to provide detailed information about its players, coaches, history,...