For decades, the Los Angeles Clippers have been a staple of the NBA landscape, entertaining fans with a fast-paced style and a roster filled with dynamic talent. However, the franchise’s history is not a straight line from one city to another. Before the glamour of Los Angeles became synonymous with the team, the Clippers spent years in turmoil, playing in a different city under a different identity. Understanding where the Clippers used to play requires a deep dive into a complex history that involves multiple cities, legal battles, and a constant search for stability.
The Buffalo Beginnings: The Birth of a Franchise
The story of where the Clippers used to play begins long before Los Angeles. The franchise was founded in 1970 as the Buffalo Braves, making their home in Buffalo, New York. Playing out of the Buffalo Memorial Auditorium, the Braves were one of the expansion teams that joined the NBA, representing the city of Buffalo with hope and ambition. This era, however, was defined by struggle, as the team finished near the bottom of the standings for the majority of their time in New York State. The on-court disappointment was compounded by poor attendance, which eventually set the stage for a dramatic relocation that would change the trajectory of the franchise.
San Diego: A Stopover of Struggle
After just four seasons in Buffalo, the franchise packed up and moved west to San Diego in 1978, becoming the San Diego Clippers. The team hoped that the sunny climate and growing market would provide a better foundation for success. They played their home games at the San Diego Sports Arena, attempting to build a fanbase in a city that loved basketball. Despite drafting future Hall of Famer George Gervin, the Clippers found themselves stuck in mediocrity, hovering around the .500 mark without making a significant playoff impact. The moniker "Clippers" referred to the fast sailing ships of the 19th century, but the team struggled to find speed or stability in San Diego, staying for only three seasons before the promise of Los Angeles proved too strong to resist.
The Legal Battle and the Birth of the "Twin" Teams
Perhaps the most confusing period in the team’s history occurred immediately after the move from San Diego. In 1984, the franchise moved to Los Angeles, but a twist of fate led to a bizarre situation. The owner at the time, Donald Sterling, had a lease agreement that prevented him from moving the Clippers to LA for one more season. This resulted in the surreal scenario of the Clippers playing in Los Angeles during the 1984–85 season, while the Los Angeles Lakers were playing in a different building. The Clippers essentially played as a traveling team for that year, using various venues across Southern California, including the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena, while the legal dust settled. This strange limbo is a critical part of the narrative of where the Clippers used to play, as they were technically in LA but without a true home court.
Establishing a Permanent Home
Once the legal hurdles were cleared, the Clippers needed to solidify their presence in Los Angeles. They played their first official season in LA during 1985–86, but finding a permanent venue took time. For many years, the team bounced between the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena and the Great Western Forum in Inglewood. The Forum, in particular, became an iconic home for the franchise, hosting the team through the 1990s and early 2000s. It was in these venues that the Clippers began to build their identity on the West Coast, slowly shedding the baggage of their Buffalo and San Diego pasts and establishing themselves as a legitimate contender in the competitive Western Conference.
The Chase for a Modern Arena
More perspective on Where did the clippers used to play can make the topic easier to follow by connecting earlier points with a few simple takeaways.
