## Overview The Los Angeles Clippers are a prominent professional basketball team in the National Basketball Association (NBA), based in Los Angeles, California[1][2][4]. They compete in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference and have long been recognized as one of the NBA’s most resilient and evolving franchises[2][3]. While the Clippers share the Los Angeles market with the storied Lakers, they have carved out their own identity, especially in recent years, as a competitive and forward-thinking organization[3]. ## History and Evolution Founded in 1970 as the Buffalo Braves, the franchise relocated to San Diego in 1978 and became the San Diego Clippers, finally moving to Los Angeles in 1984[3][4]. For decades, the Clippers were overshadowed by the Lakers, both in terms of on-court success and local popularity. The team’s early years in Los Angeles were marked by struggles, but a turning point came in the mid-2010s with the arrival of stars like Chris Paul, Blake Griffin, and DeAndre Jordan, ushering in the “Lob City” era and consistent playoff appearances[3]. A significant off-court moment occurred in 2014 when then-owner Donald Sterling was banned from the NBA for life due to racist remarks, leading to the sale of the team to former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer[3]. This ownership change marked a new chapter, with increased investment in both the team and its infrastructure. ## Key Achievements While the Clippers have yet to win an NBA championship, their recent history is marked by sustained competitiveness and organizational stability. The “Lob City” era brought national attention and multiple deep playoff runs. Under Ballmer’s ownership, the franchise has prioritized both on-court success and fan experience, exemplified by the construction of the state-of-the-art Intuit Dome in Inglewood, set to open for the 2024–25 season[4].