Published for Clippers fans — October 2026
By Toxlay Sports Editorial Team · Last updated October 19, 2026
The Club
The LA Clippers are the NBA’s great “what if.” Founded in 1970, based in Los Angeles and now playing at Intuit Dome in navy, red, light blue and white, the Clippers have never won an NBA championship — the only one of LA’s two teams still chasing the first banner. This season, for the first time in years, they’re starting over. “Together We Rise” is about to be tested like never before.
Last Season (2025-26): The End of an Era
42-40 — 3rd in the Pacific, 9th in the West, and a loss in the play-in tournament that kept them out of the playoffs. The summer of 2025 looked like a win-now push: the Clippers added veterans Bradley Beal, Brook Lopez and a 41-year-old Chris Paul for his 21st and final season, making LA the oldest roster in NBA history at an average age of 33.2. Kawhi Leonard played 65 games and posted a career-high 27.9 points per night — and it still wasn’t enough. Then came the earthquake: an investigation into owner Steve Ballmer’s off-court business dealings with the bankrupt company Aspiration and secret payments to Leonard. The NBA came down hard — a $30 million fine, five first-round draft picks stripped, and Ballmer himself banned from sitting courtside for a full year. At the deadline, the teardown began: James Harden and Ivica Zubac were shipped out. The Clippers hosted the 2026 NBA All-Star Game at Intuit Dome — and then blew up the roster.
Best Players Right Now (2026-27 Roster)
Darius Garland, 26, Guard — The new franchise player. Acquired from Cleveland at the deadline, he averaged 19.9 points and 6.4 assists in 19 games while shooting 43.8% from three. Now fully healthy after his toe and foot injuries, the offense is his.
Brandon Ingram, 29, Forward — The headline return in the Kawhi Leonard trade. Averaged 21.5 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.7 assists with Toronto last season — but he opens the year sidelined after right heel surgery, so LA waits on its second star.
Rui Hachimura, 28, Forward — The Lakers castoff who became a preseason revelation. Dropped 21 points on 8-of-11 shooting in the first preseason game against Golden State and looks like the perfect two-way fit next to Garland.
Bradley Beal, 33, Guard — Re-signed on a cheap deal. The three-time All-Star is now the veteran scorer off the bench — if his body holds up.
Max Strus, 30, Guard/Forward — Reunited with Garland from their Cleveland days. A career 37% three-point shooter who spaces the floor.
Gradey Dick, 22, Guard/Forward — The sharpshooting sweetener in the Kawhi trade. Still just 22 with real shooting upside.
Derrick Jones Jr., 29, Forward — The high-flyer and defensive spark who survived the teardown.
Brook Lopez, 38, Center — The ageless floor-spacer still anchoring the middle at 38.
Kris Dunn, 32, Guard — The defensive tone-setter in the backcourt.
Keaton Wagler, 19, Guard — The future. The No. 5 pick in the 2026 Draft out of Illinois (17.9 points, 5.1 rebounds, 4.2 assists) hit the game-winner against Golden State in his preseason debut.
Head coach: Tyronn Lue — In his 17th season as a head coach (750-527 career). A championship coach tasked with stitching a brand-new roster together on the fly.
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Star Spotlight: Stories You Should Know
The Kawhi trade that ended an era. On June 30, 2026, the Clippers sent Kawhi Leonard back to the Toronto Raptors — where he won the 2019 title — for Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two first-round picks, a pick swap and two second-rounders. Seven seasons, one torn ACL, zero Finals appearances: the Leonard-George era officially closed. Combined with the deadline deals that sent James Harden to Cleveland and Ivica Zubac to Indiana, LA flipped its entire veteran core into Garland, Ingram and draft capital in under five months.
The scandal that changed everything. Investigative reporting uncovered a salary-cap circumvention scheme linking Ballmer’s Aspiration company to secret payments for Leonard. The league’s response was historic: $30 million, five stripped first-rounders, and the owner’s courtside ban. It’s the shadow this rebuild is happening under.
Intuit Dome, year three. Opened in 2024, Steve Ballmer’s $2 billion arena is the league’s most expensive building — and it just hosted the 2026 All-Star Game. Lob City (2012–2017) never got past the second round; the 2021 team made the franchise’s first-ever Western Conference Finals and lost to Phoenix. The Dome is still waiting for its first banner.
This Season (2026-27): The Rebuild Starts
Vegas set the win total at 30.5 (BetMGM) with title odds at +50000 — the first time in years the Clippers aren’t expected to matter. But the bones aren’t bad: a 26-year-old point guard entering his prime, a 29-year-old All-Star wing, a lottery guard in Wagler and Tyronn Lue drawing it up. The defense that carried past Clippers teams walked out the door with Kawhi and Zubac, and Ingram’s heel keeps him out to open the year. The smart money says lottery — the hope says a play-in push if everything breaks right. Either way, this is about 2028 and beyond.
Mark Your Calendar: Upcoming Games to Watch
Wondering when the Clippers play? The Clippers schedule opens at home — here are the dates to circle, and grab your Clippers tickets early for these:
- October 21 — vs Sacramento Kings (home opener, Intuit Dome): The Garland-Ingram era tips off in front of the home crowd. First look at the new core.
- October 23 — at Los Angeles Lakers: Battle of LA. Hachimura returns to his old building on night one of the rivalry.
- November 1 — vs Golden State Warriors (home): The rematch — Wagler’s game-winner beat the Warriors in preseason; now it counts.
- November 2 — vs Toronto Raptors (home): THE return game. Kawhi Leonard walks back into Intuit Dome in a Raptors jersey.
- December 20 — vs Indiana Pacers (home): Ivica Zubac’s first game back in LA since the deadline deal.
Biggest Rivalries — The Wars
1. Los Angeles Lakers — THE battle of LA. Same city, same building history, now different eras — LeBron’s gone to Philly, the Lakers are rebuilding around Doncic, and the Clippers have their own Dome. October 23 at Crypto.com is the first chapter.
2. Golden State Warriors — The West’s old guard. Preseason heroics aside, beating Steph’s Warriors on November 1 would be a statement.
3. Phoenix Suns — The team that ended the 2021 conference finals run, the franchise’s best shot ever. Still stings.
4. Denver Nuggets — The West’s benchmark and the 2023 champs. Jokić’s Nuggets are the measuring stick for every rebuild out West.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did Kawhi Leonard go?
On June 30, 2026, the Clippers traded Leonard back to the Toronto Raptors for Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick and draft picks, ending the seven-season Kawhi era.
When the Clippers play the Raptors in 2026-27?
November 2 at Intuit Dome — Kawhi Leonard's first game back in LA in a Raptors jersey.
Who are the best Clippers players right now?
Darius Garland, Brandon Ingram, Rui Hachimura, and No. 5 pick Keaton Wagler, who hit a preseason game-winner against Golden State.
When the Clippers play the Lakers in 2026-27?
October 23 at Crypto.com Arena, then October 28 at Intuit Dome — two Battles of LA in the first eight days.
Show Your Colors
Together We Rise — at Intuit Dome or watching from home, true fans wear it. Gear up with quality fan sportswear — jerseys, tees and athletic wear built for real supporters:
Shop Fan Sportswear at Toxlay Sports →
Sources & official links: LA Clippers official site · LA Clippers tickets
Together We Rise — the teardown is done, the rebuild is here, and it starts October 21.
