The LA Clippers started the season with a 121-96 win over the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday night in front of 17,927 fans at Intuit Dome. The victory came without owner Steve Ballmer, who is serving a one-year suspension that bars him from all league and team activities, including phone calls and texts with the team.
The NBA banned Ballmer in September after finding the Clippers guilty of violating salary cap circumvention rules involving Kawhi Leonard, who was traded to the Toronto Raptors last month. The league said Ballmer knowingly sought to help Leonard obtain off-court income opportunities. Ballmer apologized last month and said the Clippers have already paid their $30 million fine. The punishment also included the loss of five consecutive first-round draft picks from 2029 through 2033 and a six-month suspension for president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank.
Coach Tyronn Lue dedicated the win to Ballmer in his postgame comments. "Just want to say thank you for everything, and we're still fighting for him," Lue said. Darius Garland, who led the Clippers with 30 points, said the team felt Ballmer's presence even without him in his courtside seat. Veteran center Brook Lopez said he missed Ballmer's fist-pumping, yelling and energy at home games.
In a mea culpa, the Clippers offered free parking at their arena for the season opener. Ballmer privately financed the $2 billion arena, which opened in 2024 and hosted the All-Star Game in February. John Gibson, who is filling Ballmer's roles as CEO and governor on an interim basis, talked with Lue before tipoff instead of Ballmer.
Source: ESPN NBA · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing