How the Los Angeles Clippers spent decades as the NBA's most notorious perennial loser
In short: Born as the Buffalo Braves in 1970, the franchise endured a chaotic history of forced relocations, arena disputes, and mismanagement. Long overshadowed by the crosstown Lakers, the team eventually transformed from a league-wide punchline into a consistent contender, though they remain the oldest franchise to never reach a championship game.
The franchise began as the Buffalo Braves in 1970, one of three expansion teams alongside the Portland Trail Blazers and Cleveland Cavaliers. Despite early success under coach Jack Ramsay and MVP Bob McAdoo, the team struggled with arena logistics. A pre-existing lease held by the Canisius Golden Griffins forced the Braves into unfavorable scheduling, leading owner Paul Snyder to sell the team. After a brief, unsuccessful stint in San Diego, where they were rebranded as the Clippers in 1978, the team moved to Los Angeles in 1984 under owner Donald Sterling.
Sterling’s tenure was defined by controversy and instability. He relocated the team to Los Angeles without NBA approval, triggering legal battles and a $25 million fine. The team’s early years in Los Angeles were marked by the 'Clipper Triangle'—a series of systematic injuries to star players—and a 12–70 record in 1987. By the 1990s, the franchise was so desperate for an identity that it flirted with a permanent move to Anaheim, where it drew significantly higher attendance than at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena.
The team’s reputation finally shifted in the 2010s with the 'Lob City' era, featuring Blake Griffin, DeAndre Jordan, and Chris Paul. This period brought consecutive division titles in 2013 and 2014 and a first-ever conference finals appearance in 2021. Despite this modern success, the franchise carries the weight of its past; it holds the dubious distinction of being the oldest North American professional sports team to have never played in a championship game. As of the 2024–25 season, the Clippers have moved into their own home, the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, marking a new chapter after 25 years of sharing space with the Lakers and Kings at the former Staples Center.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Los Angeles Clippers
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