NBA Team Guide
Los Angeles Clippers: History, Championships & Facts
The Clippers began as the Buffalo Braves in 1970, moved to San Diego in 1978 and to Los Angeles in 1984. The franchise reached its first Western Conference finals in 2021.
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Updated live from ESPN.
Quick facts
| Founded | 1970, as the Buffalo Braves |
|---|---|
| Arena | Intuit Dome, Inglewood (home since the 2024–25 season) |
| NBA titles | None through the 2025–26 season |
| Best playoff finish | 2021 Western Conference finals |
| Name history | Buffalo Braves (1970–1978), San Diego Clippers (1978–1984), Los Angeles Clippers (1984–) |
Championship history
Through the 2025–26 season the Clippers had not won an NBA title or reached the NBA Finals. Their deepest run was the 2021 Western Conference finals.
- 2021 Western Conference finals: lost to the Phoenix Suns 4–2
- Buffalo Braves reached the conference semifinals in 1974, 1975 and 1976
- Pacific Division titles in 2012–13, 2013–14 and 2023–24
Franchise history
- 1970: Began play as the Buffalo Braves, an expansion team.
- 1978: Moved to San Diego and became the Clippers.
- 1984: Moved to Los Angeles.
- 1999: Began sharing Staples Center (later Crypto.com Arena) with the Lakers.
- 2014: Steve Ballmer bought the team after the NBA banned Donald Sterling for life.
- 2021: Reached the Western Conference finals for the first time.
- 2024: Moved into Intuit Dome in Inglewood.
Franchise record holders
| Points | Randy Smith, 12,735 |
|---|---|
| Steals | Randy Smith, 1,072 |
| Rebounds | DeAndre Jordan |
Retired numbers
- 6Bill Russell (retired across the NBA)
Hall of Famers
Bob McAdoo.
Biggest rivalries
- Los Angeles Lakers: crosstown rivals who shared an arena with the Clippers from 1999 to 2024.
- Dallas Mavericks: first-round opponents in 2020, 2021 and 2024.
- Denver Nuggets: beat the Clippers 4–3 in both the 2020 conference semifinals and the 2025 first round.
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Have the Clippers ever won an NBA title?
No. Through the 2025–26 season the Clippers had not reached the NBA Finals. Their best finish is the 2021 Western Conference finals.
Where did the Clippers come from?
The team began as the Buffalo Braves in 1970. It moved to San Diego in 1978 and to Los Angeles in 1984.
Where do the Clippers play?
At Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, since the 2024–25 season. Before that they shared Crypto.com Arena with the Lakers.
Who is the Clippers' all-time leading scorer?
Randy Smith, with 12,735 regular-season points, most of them with the Buffalo Braves.
Have the Clippers retired any numbers?
As of 2026 the Clippers have not retired a number of their own. No. 6 is retired across the NBA for Bill Russell.
Sources
Facts checked September 23, 2026. Live figures above come from ESPN.