Can Los Angeles Clippers salvage what is expected to be a nightmare season?

October 21, 2026

The Los Angeles Clippers open the 2026-27 NBA season on Oct. 21 at the Intuit Dome against the Sacramento Kings, but the franchise faces a steep uphill battle after a turbulent offseason.

A league investigation led to a $30 million fine and the loss of five first‑round picks from 2029 to 2033, while owner Steve Ballmer and two executives were suspended by Commissioner Adam Silver. The team also overhauled its roster, trading away Kawhi Leonard, seeing veteran Nicolas Batum depart in free agency, and adding younger pieces such as Brandon Ingram, who will miss the opener, and Gradey Dick.

Coach Tyronn Lue will have to experiment with new lineups and roles as the Clippers, once a playoff regular, are projected by USA Today to finish near the bottom of the Western Conference with a 31‑51 record.

With an average age of 33.2 years last season, the Clippers are now among the league’s youngest squads, but the loss of draft assets to the Oklahoma City Thunder and the absence of key players make a championship run unlikely. Lue emphasized that the early games will be a testing ground to discover what combinations work, hoping to develop the younger talent and improve trade value despite the grim outlook.