2025–26 Los Angeles Clippers season
| 2025–26 Los Angeles Clippers season | |
|---|---|
| Head coach | Tyronn Lue |
| General manager | Trent Redden |
| Owner | Steve Ballmer |
| Arena | Intuit Dome |
| Results | |
| Record | 7–21 (.250) |
| Place | Division: 5th (Pacific) Conference: 13th (Western) |
Stats at Basketball Reference | |
| Local media | |
| Television | FanDuel Sports Network West FanDuel Sports Network SoCal KTLA |
| Radio | KLAC |
The 2025–26 Los Angeles Clippers season is the 56th season of the franchise in the National Basketball Association (NBA), their 48th season in Southern California, and their second season in Inglewood.
During the offseason, the Clippers made major changes to their roster, acquiring several All-Star veterans such as Brook Lopez, Bradley Beal, and reuniting with Chris Paul in his 21st and final season in the league, while retaining others such as James Harden, Kawhi Leonard and Nicolas Batum. These additions resulted in the Clippers roster having an average age of 33.2 years, the oldest team in NBA history.[1] Guard and forward Norman Powell, who was on the verge of becoming an All-Star last season, was traded to the Miami Heat for Jazz forward John Collins to address the team's front court issues.[2] The promising off-season turned sour, when on September 2025, podcaster Pablo S. Torre reported of a potential salary cap circumvention surrounding Clippers owner Steve Ballmer and the now-bankrupt environmental company Aspiration paying Leonard unethically, which prompted a league investigation that would last throughout the season.[3][4]
Despite expectations of being a "dark horse" playoff contender in the Western Conference,[5] the Clippers quickly floundered during the season as front office mismanagement, injuries, and poor play from several key players crippled their competency.[6] With a loss to the Utah Jazz on opening night, the Clippers went 5–16 in their first 21 games, the second-worst in their conference behind the New Orleans Pelicans,[7] coinciding with a 2–13 record in November which was regarded as the worst month in their franchise history.[8] Beal underperformed during the six of 10 games he appeared in before suffering a fractured hip on November 8 that was deemed season-ending.[9] Starter Derrick Jones Jr. was ruled out for at least six weeks after a sprained MCL on November 17.[10] Bogdan Bogdanović continued to miss significant time due to a left hip contusion,[11] while Lopez and Paul fell almost completely out of the rotation. Collins was pushed to the starting lineup in response to the injuries, but their pair of losses to the Heat only furthered critic's concerns of his fit with the Clippers as opposed to Powell who was having a renaissance career in Miami.[12] On December 3, Paul was released by the Clippers and sent home during a road trip,[13] a move which was controversial and criticized.[14]
Draft picks
| Round | Pick | Player | Position | Nationality | College |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 30 | Yanic Konan Niederhäuser | C | Switzerland | Penn State |
The Clippers entered the draft with a single first-round selection from a first-round swap with the Oklahoma City Thunder.[15][16] The team's original second-round pick had previously been traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, who later dealt it to the Utah Jazz as part of the Luka Dončić–Anthony Davis trade.
Roster
| Players | Coaches | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Head coach
Assistant(s)
Legend
Roster |
Roster Notes
- Center Brook Lopez is the 32nd former Lakers player to play for the Clippers.
- Guard Chris Paul makes his second tour of duty with the Clippers having played for them from 2011 to 2017. After 16 games, he was released on December 3, 2025.
Standings
Division
| Pacific Division | W | L | PCT | GB | Home | Road | Div | GP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Lakers | 19 | 8 | .704 | – | 7–4 | 12–4 | 3–3 | 27 |
| Phoenix Suns | 15 | 13 | .536 | 4.5 | 9–5 | 6–8 | 6–4 | 28 |
| Golden State Warriors | 14 | 15 | .483 | 6.0 | 8–4 | 6–11 | 4–2 | 29 |
| Los Angeles Clippers | 7 | 21 | .250 | 12.5 | 4–8 | 3–13 | 2–4 | 28 |
| Sacramento Kings | 7 | 22 | .241 | 13.0 | 4–9 | 3–13 | 1–3 | 29 |
Conference
| Western Conference | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| # | Team | W | L | PCT | GB | GP |
| 1 | Oklahoma City Thunder * | 25 | 3 | .893 | – | 28 |
| 2 | San Antonio Spurs * | 21 | 7 | .750 | 4.0 | 28 |
| 3 | Denver Nuggets | 20 | 7 | .741 | 4.5 | 27 |
| 4 | Los Angeles Lakers * | 19 | 8 | .704 | 5.5 | 27 |
| 5 | Minnesota Timberwolves | 19 | 10 | .655 | 6.5 | 29 |
| 6 | Houston Rockets | 17 | 9 | .654 | 7.0 | 26 |
| 7 | Phoenix Suns | 15 | 13 | .536 | 10.0 | 28 |
| 8 | Golden State Warriors | 14 | 15 | .483 | 11.5 | 29 |
| 9 | Memphis Grizzlies | 13 | 15 | .464 | 12.0 | 28 |
| 10 | Portland Trail Blazers | 12 | 16 | .429 | 13.0 | 28 |
| 11 | Dallas Mavericks | 11 | 18 | .379 | 14.5 | 29 |
| 12 | Utah Jazz | 10 | 17 | .370 | 14.5 | 27 |
| 13 | Los Angeles Clippers | 7 | 21 | .250 | 18.0 | 28 |
| 14 | Sacramento Kings | 7 | 22 | .241 | 18.5 | 29 |
| 15 | New Orleans Pelicans | 7 | 22 | .241 | 18.5 | 29 |
Game log
Preseason
| 2025 preseason game log Total: 3–1 (Home: 1–1; Road: 2–0) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Preseason: 3–1 (home: 1–1; road: 2–0)
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2025–26 preseason schedule | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Regular season
| 2025–26 game log Total: 7–21 (Home: 4–8; Road: 3–13) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
October: 3–2 (home: 3–0; road: 0–2)
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
November: 2–13 (home: 0–7; road: 2–6)
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
December: 2–6 (home: 1–1; road: 1–5)
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
January: 0–0 (home: 0–0; road: 0–0)
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
February: 0–0 (home: 0–0; road: 0–0)
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
March: 0–0 (home: 0–0; road: 0–0)
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
April: 0–0 (home: 0–0; road: 0–0)
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2025–26 season schedule | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
NBA Cup
West Group B
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | L | PF | PA | PD | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Los Angeles Lakers | 4 | 4 | 0 | 499 | 453 | +46 | Advanced to knockout rounds |
| 2 | Memphis Grizzlies | 4 | 3 | 1 | 464 | 450 | +14 | |
| 3 | Los Angeles Clippers | 4 | 2 | 2 | 465 | 485 | −20 | |
| 4 | Dallas Mavericks | 4 | 1 | 3 | 455 | 476 | −21 | |
| 5 | New Orleans Pelicans | 4 | 0 | 4 | 465 | 484 | −19 |
Source: NBA
Transactions
Trades
| June 26, 2025[17] | To Los Angeles Clippers Draft rights to Kobe Sanders (No. 50) |
To New York Knicks Draft rights to Mohamed Diawara (No. 51) Draft rights to Luka Mitrović (2015 No. 60) |
| July 7, 2025[18] | Three-team trade | |
| To Los Angeles Clippers John Collins (from Utah) |
To Miami Heat Norman Powell (from L.A. Clippers) | |
| To Utah Jazz Kyle Anderson (from Miami) Kevin Love (from Miami) 2027 second-round pick (from L.A. Clippers) | ||
Free agency
Re-signed
| Date | Player | Ref. |
|---|---|---|
| July 6 | Nicolas Batum | [19] |
| July 6 | James Harden | [20] |
| July 29 | Jordan Miller (two-way contract) (previously waived on July 8) |
|
| August 7 | Patrick Baldwin Jr. (previously waived on July 28) |
Additions
| Date | Player | Former Team | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 6 | Brook Lopez | Milwaukee Bucks | [21] |
| July 18 | Bradley Beal | Phoenix Suns | |
| July 21 | Chris Paul | San Antonio Spurs | |
| August 11 | Jason Preston | Utah Jazz | |
| October 14 | TyTy Washington Jr. | Phoenix Suns | |
| October 18 | Jahmyl Telfort (Two-way contract) (previously signed to a training camp contract on June 27) |
Butler Bulldogs | |
| December 5 | RayJ Dennis (Two-way contract) |
Indiana Pacers |
Subtractions
| Player | Reason | New Team | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Patty Mills | Retired | Hawai'i Rainbow Warriors (General Manager) |
[22] |
| Drew Eubanks | Waived | Sacramento Kings | [23] |
| Seth Lundy | Waived | TBD | |
| Amir Coffey | Free agency | Milwaukee Bucks | |
| Trentyn Flowers | Waived | Chicago Bulls | |
| Patrick Baldwin Jr. | Waived | San Diego Clippers | |
| Jason Preston | Waived | San Diego Clippers | |
| TyTy Washington Jr. | Waived | San Diego Clippers | |
| Chris Paul | Released | TBD | |
| Jahmyl Telfort | Waived | TBD |
References
- ^ Walsh, Alex (July 30, 2025). "Clippers roster will set NBA record before season even starts". The Sporting News. Retrieved December 3, 2025.
- ^ Charania, Shams (July 7, 2025). "Powell to Heat, Collins to Clippers in three-team trade". ESPN. Retrieved December 3, 2025.
- ^ Vardon, Joe; Amick, Sam (September 4, 2025). "Kawhi Leonard, Clippers used endorsement deal to 'circumvent' NBA salary cap: Report". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved September 5, 2025.
- ^ "NBA says it will open investigation into report that Clippers broke cap rules with Leonard deal". AP News. September 3, 2025. Retrieved September 5, 2025.
- ^ Wimbish, Jasmyn (November 12, 2025). "Bradley Beal injury: Clippers guard out for season in major blow for Los Angeles". CBS Sports. Retrieved December 3, 2025.
- ^ Pina, Michael (December 3, 2025). "The Clippers Have Run Out of Rock Bottoms". The Ringer. Retrieved December 3, 2025.
- ^ Reynolds, Tim (December 2, 2025). "The Clippers have a slew of future Hall of Famers. And at 5-16, they have a slew of problems". ABC News. Associated Press. Retrieved December 3, 2025.
- ^ Murray, Law (December 1, 2025). "Clippers hit rock bottom: Inside arguably the worst month in the franchise's 56-year history". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on December 1, 2025. Retrieved December 3, 2025.
- ^ Murray, Law (November 14, 2025). "The Clippers are already collapsing. There's no room for error after Bradley Beal nightmare". The New York Times. Retrieved December 3, 2025.
- ^ "Sources: Clippers' Jones out at least 6 weeks". ESPN. November 17, 2025. Retrieved December 3, 2025.
- ^ "Clippers' Bogdan Bogdanovic: Won't play Wednesday". CBS Sports. December 2, 2025. Retrieved December 3, 2025.
- ^ "What's wrong with the Clippers? Discussing the disastrous start of the most disappointing team in the NBA". CBS Sports. November 21, 2025. Retrieved December 3, 2025.
- ^ Chris Paul sent home by Clippers in shocking late-night move. Associated Press. December 3, 2025. Retrieved December 6, 2025.
- ^ Herbert, James (December 3, 2025). "The Clippers did Chris Paul dirty". CBS Sports. Retrieved December 3, 2025.
- ^ Quinn, Sam (May 12, 2025). "2025 NBA Draft order, Lottery results: Mavericks win No. 1 pick with long odds, will likely take Cooper Flagg". CBS Sports. Retrieved May 13, 2025.
- ^ "2025 NBA Draft Order: Picks 1-59". NBA.com. May 12, 2024. Retrieved May 20, 2025.
- ^ "LA Clippers Acquire Draft Rights to Kobe Sanders". NBA.com. June 26, 2025. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
- ^ "Clippers Acquire John Collins in a Three-Team Trade". NBA.com. July 7, 2025. Retrieved July 8, 2025.
- ^ "LA Clippers Re-sign Nicolas Batum". NBA.com. July 7, 2025. Retrieved July 8, 2025.
- ^ "LA Clippers Re-sign 11-Time All-Star James Harden". NBA.com. July 7, 2025. Retrieved July 8, 2025.
- ^ "LA Clippers Sign Brook Lopez". NBA.com. July 6, 2025. Retrieved July 8, 2025.
- ^ "Patty Mills Joins Hawai'i Men's Basketball as General Manager". hawaiiathletics.com. June 9, 2025. Retrieved July 8, 2025.
- ^ "Kings' Drew Eubanks: Waived by LAC, moving to Sacramento". CBS Sports. July 1, 2025. Retrieved July 8, 2025.