Lakers–Clippers rivalry

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Lakers–Clippers rivalry
The Lakers' Luke Walton and Andrew Bynum (No. 17) guard the Clippers' Al Thornton (12) in 2009.
Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Clippers
Other namesHallway Series
LocationLos Angeles
First meetingOctober 30, 1970
Lakers 104, Braves 90
Latest meetingFebruary 28, 2024
Lakers 116, Clippers 112
Next meetingTBA
Statistics
Meetings total239
All-time seriesLakers, 153–86 (LAL)
Regular season seriesLakers, 153–86 (LAL)
Longest win streakLAL W16
Current win streakLAL W1

The Lakers–Clippers rivalry is a

NBA championships since moving to Los Angeles.[4] Meanwhile, the Clippers have made the playoffs only eleven times since 1984 and remain arguably the least successful professional sports franchise in North America,[5][6][7][8] and had never advanced past the second round of the playoffs until 2021.[9] Some contended that the term rivalry was inaccurate due to the Lakers historical success and the Clippers historical lack of success.[10] In 2012–13, the Clippers won the first of six straight season series against the Lakers.[11]

The Lakers hold a 107–66 advantage in the all-time series since the Clippers moved to Los Angeles.[a] The two teams have never met in the playoffs, though both Los Angeles teams were very close to meeting each other twice in the twenty-first century before they each blew their respective playoff series leads. The Lakers lost a 3–1 series lead against another Pacific Division rival of theirs in the Phoenix Suns and failed to advance to the Western Conference Semifinals against the Clippers in 2006, while the Clippers also lost a 3–1 lead against the Denver Nuggets in 2020, nixing a Western Conference Finals matchup with the eventual NBA champion Lakers that was held entirely at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex that year due to the 2020 NBA Bubble.

From the creation of the then-named Staples Center in 1999 until 2024 with the Clippers ending their lease with the arena, their matchups were also sometimes called the "Hallway Series" due to their locker rooms being in a separate hallway around 80 to 100 feet apart from each other. For the first game of theirs in what was dubbed as the "Hallway Series" while under the Staples Center, the Lakers (holding homecourt advantage and being led by their dynamic duo of Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant) crushed the Clippers 95–68, with that game also being notable for the Clippers scoring a franchise-low 19 total points in the first half, including a lowly total of 3 points in the entire second quarter by a made basket from Michael Olowokandi and a free-throw made by Lamar Odom.[13] For their final regular season game against each other in the "Hallway Series" at the Crypto.com Arena, the Lakers provided a 21-point comeback in the fourth quarter (including LeBron James scoring 19 points in that quarter alone) to win 116–112 on February 28, 2024 against the Clippers, who were the home team that night.[14] Barring any potential playoff series match-ups in the 2024 NBA playoffs between these two teams (which would be their first ever in that rivalry), the next time they'll play against each other in the regular season will either be in the Crypto.com Arena without the Clippers being nearby the Lakers or will be held in the Clippers' new home arena at the Intuit Dome in nearby Inglewood, California for the 2024–25 season.

History

1970–1984: Early years

The Lakers had existed in Los Angeles since

1948 since moving over from the NBL a season prior and won 5 championships there before the Clippers were founded in 1970 as the Buffalo Braves. During their first match against each other, the Lakers beat the Braves 104–90 on October 30, 1970 at The Forum, continuing the middle of what became a 9-game losing streak for Buffalo after debuting with a 107–92 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers.[15] The Braves originally played in the Atlantic Division before moving to San Diego in the 1978–79 season and were subsequently renamed the Clippers, officially joining the Lakers in the Pacific Division. San Diego won in their first game against the Lakers, winning 124–113 on October 24, 1978. "This is a good way to start off a rivalry", said Clippers owner Irv Levin afterwards.[16]

1984: First years together in Los Angeles

The Lakers were joined by the Clippers in Los Angeles in 1984 after six seasons in San Diego following the Clippers' ownership change to Donald Sterling. The team originally made their home in the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena (formerly the Lakers' home arena from 1960–67), about 10 miles (16 km) from the Lakers then-home at The Forum in Inglewood. After the Clippers move, the teams drew a crowd of 14,991 in their first meeting at the Sports Arena; it was the then-largest home-court attendance in Clippers history. The fans were evenly divided in their support of the two teams. The Lakers won 108–103, and the Associated Press (AP) wrote that "a crosstown rivalry was born". Former Lakers guard Norm Nixon, then in his second year with the Clippers, said "I think it's going to great every time we play ... When we get some more [wins], our fans won't have to cover their heads with their hats anymore."[17] The Clippers marketed themselves as the "People's Team" with ticket prices ($4, $8, $12, and $15) that were lower than the Lakers ($7, $9.50, $13.50, and $27.50 and above). Lakers coach Pat Riley commented, "I felt we've done more the last 20 years to be the 'People's Team'"[17][18]

1984–2013: Lakers success and Clippers struggles

Kobe Bryant in 2004 considered signing with the Clippers before re-signing with the Lakers.

By 1986, the Lakers were still undefeated against the Clippers, and AP offered that it was "a crosstown rivalry that hasn't been much of one."[19] Lakers fans would outnumber Clippers fans at the Sports Arena during the teams' matchups for years until 1992, when the Clippers had their first winning season since 1978–79 and their first playoff appearance since 1976. The Lakers, on the other hand, struggled in 1991–92 with Lakers great Magic Johnson's retirement after he tested positive for HIV.[20] The Clippers ended a 27-game Forum losing streak against the Lakers that season, and they finished with a better record than the Lakers. They again finished ahead of the Lakers in 1992–93. They also won the season series against the Lakers for the first time since moving to Los Angeles. It was also their first as a franchise since 1974–75, when they were still the Buffalo Braves.[21] In 1993–94, both teams missed the playoffs marking the first time that both teams had missed the postseason in the same season, a feat that was later repeated in the 2004–2005 season, when the Clippers finished 37-45 and the Lakers finished 34–48.

From the 1994–95 to 1998–99 seasons, the Clippers played a limited number of home games at the Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim (now Honda Center). In those seasons, the Clippers played the Lakers at the Pond only three times, compiling a record of 1–2 against the Lakers in Anaheim.[22][23][24] A deal to move the Clippers to Anaheim on a permanent basis was declined by the team in 1996,[25] leading to the eventual decision to have the Clippers join the Lakers at the Staples Center when it opened in 1999.

The Clippers did not finish ahead of the Lakers again until 2004–05.[26][27] Lakers star Kobe Bryant almost joined the Clippers that season as a free agent before re-signing with the Lakers.[28] The Clippers in 2005–06 won 47 games and finished two games ahead of the Lakers.[29] During the season, Bryant said that "rivalries are made in the playoffs, not in the regular season".[30] In the 2006 playoffs, the Lakers built a 3–1 first-round series lead against the Phoenix Suns before losing 4–3, spoiling a potential crosstown matchup with the Clippers in the second round.[31][32] The Clippers’ second-round series against Phoenix drew higher television ratings in Southern California than the Lakers’ first-round loss to Phoenix.[33] They missed the conference finals by one game, losing 4–3 to the Suns akin to the Lakers losing to the Suns 4–3 earlier in the first round.[29]

Prior to a matchup in 2008 with the Lakers at 3–0 and the Clippers 0–4, the Los Angeles Times wrote that "even the involved parties have trouble referring to this thing as a rivalry."[28] Lakers coach Phil Jackson said the two teams were "always going to be a rivalry"[1] yet on many occasions, he picked on the Clippers' often poor record.[28]

2013–2019: Roles reversed

Blake Griffin's highlight plays renewed interest in the Clippers.

Starting with the

New Orleans Hornets, but commissioner David Stern vetoed the trade and Paul was instead traded to the Clippers.[33][34] Prior to Paul's arrival, the Clippers had the worst overall winning percentage in the NBA (.349) since they moved to Los Angeles, while the Lakers during that same period had the best (.659).[35]

In a game that season between the two teams won by the Clippers, tempers flared and seven

technical fouls were called. Although it was a home game for the Clippers at Staples, Clippers fans were still outnumbered by Lakers fans.[36] In a heated rematch won by the Lakers, ESPN wrote, "If the Staples co-tenants didn't have a rivalry before [the game], they have one now."[37] Paul was upset after the game that Lakers forward Pau Gasol touched him on the head. "...don't touch the top of my head like I'm one of your kids", warned Paul.[37] Some Clippers in 2012 denied that a rivalry existed.[38] Griffin offered that "a rivalry has to be evenly matched, and this one hasn't been over the years."[36] Clippers center DeAndre Jordan said the Lakers "are proven. They have more championships. They have Hall of Famer players. We're still a young team."[39]

The Clippers in 2011–12 had a winning record for only the third time since Donald Sterling bought the team in 1981 and made the playoffs for only the fifth time since moving to Los Angeles.[29][40] The Clippers led the Lakers by 2+12 games in mid-February before the Lakers overtook them by one game for the Pacific Division title.[29][41]

For the first time in

rating in Los Angeles, the network's highest-rated regular season game ever in the L.A. market.[49] The Clippers later defeated the defending NBA champions, the Miami Heat, but the city was more engrossed in the Lakers' firing of Brown and the hiring of Mike D'Antoni. Heat coach Erik Spoelstra subsequently called the Clippers "legit contenders for the title", while Arash Markazi of ESPN.com called them "the best team in L.A."[50] Prior to their second meeting that season, the Clippers were 25–8 and fighting for the best record in the league, while the Lakers were 15–16—nine games behind the Clippers—and looking to secure a playoff spot in the Western Conference.[51] For only the fourth time in their prior 127 meetings since they moved to Los Angeles, the Clippers had a better record than the Lakers entering their matchup when both teams had played 30 or more games.[52] Prior to the game, Bryant called the Clippers "top contenders" for a championship.[51] The Clippers won 107–102 in a nationally televised game that gave ESPN its best NBA regular-season overnight rating (2.7) in nearly two years. The local Los Angeles rating of 5.7 was the second highest ever behind the record set in the teams' previous meeting.[53] The Clippers also won their third meeting, 125–101, after starting the game with a 15–0 lead. The win clinched the season series for the Clippers for the first time in 20 years since 1992–93.[21] On April 7, the Clippers defeated the Lakers 109–95, clinching their first Pacific Division title in franchise history.[54] The Lakers had won 23 of the previous 42 division titles.[55] The win also completed a season sweep of the Lakers, 4–0. The franchise had not swept the Lakers since 1974–75, when they were in Buffalo.[54] While both teams qualified for the playoffs that season, they were both eliminated in the first round, as the Lakers were swept by the San Antonio Spurs, and the Clippers lost in six games to the Memphis Grizzlies. It would be the Lakers last playoff appearance until 2020, their longest postseason drought in franchise history.[56]

The Clippers in 2013–14 hired former Clippers player Doc Rivers as their new coach. He previously coached the Boston Celtics, whom the Los Angeles Times called "the Lakers' true rivals", where he won one NBA Finals and lost another in the Celtics–Lakers rivalry.[57] Rivers said that Los Angeles "always will be" a Lakers town, but he also predicted that people that moved from the East Coast to L.A. would root for the Clippers if they won an NBA title.[58] On January 10, 2014, the Clippers avenged a 13-point season opener loss to the Lakers with a 123–87 blowout in their next meeting. At the time, the 36-point margin was the Clippers' largest ever against the Lakers, who were near the bottom of the conference standing and losers for the tenth time in 11 games, a bad stretch they had not duplicated since they last missed the playoffs in 2004–05.[59][60] On March 6, the Clippers defeated the Lakers 142–94; the 48-point margin was the largest victory ever by the Clippers against any opponent, as well as the most one-sided defeat in Lakers history.[61] While the Clippers went on to win the Pacific Division title and qualify for the playoffs, the Lakers finished with one of the worst records in the Western Conference, with a record of 27–55, a stark contrast from previous years, and starting an era of futility for the Lakers.[34] In the playoffs, the Clippers defeated the Golden State Warriors in seven games in the first round, but would lose to the Oklahoma City Thunder in six games in the semifinals.

After the 2013–14 season, D'Antoni resigned as Lakers coach, and the team replaced him with Byron Scott, a former guard from their Showtime era. The Clippers underwent an ownership change after Steve Ballmer purchased the team from Sterling, whose racist comments prompted his wife to sell the team against his wishes.[62] Scott stated that there was still no rivalry with the Clippers. "Celtics-Lakers, that's a rivalry", he said.[63] On April 5, 2015, the Clippers won its sixth straight against the Lakers for their longest winning streak in the series in the franchise's history.[b] The 106–78 win was also the fewest points they had ever allowed to the Lakers.[65] It was the Lakers' 56th loss of the season, which surpassed the team high established the year before, when they finished with a 27–55 record.[66][67] In the playoffs, the Clippers were leading the Houston Rockets 3–1 in the conference semifinals, but became just the ninth team in NBA history with that lead to lose the series. Earlier in the series, former Lakers player Magic Johnson had thought that the Clippers could win the championship. However, after they were eliminated, he stated: "I was wrong. The Clippers are still the Clippers."[68]

Entering the 2018–19 season, the Clippers had won the last six season series against the Lakers.[69] After acquiring free agent LeBron James, the Lakers hoped to re-establish their dominance in Los Angeles and were expected to end their five-year playoff drought.[69][70] However, entering the clubs' March 2019 matchup, the Lakers were 4+12 games behind for the eighth and final playoff berth in the West, and five behind the No. 7 Clippers.[70] The Clippers won 113–105.[69]

2019–present: Potential playoff meeting

Both the Lakers and Clippers made major offseason moves entering 2019–20. The Lakers acquired Anthony Davis from the New Orleans Pelicans, while the Clippers signed free agent Kawhi Leonard and traded for Paul George from the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Lakers, who had also been interested in Leonard, held up the Davis trade after Leonard asked them to wait on his decision on possibly pairing with James and Davis.[71] The Lakers also hired Frank Vogel to replace Luke Walton as their head coach. Tyronn Lue, who won two NBA championships as a player with the Lakers in 2000 and 2001 and coached Cleveland to an NBA title with James in 2016,[72][73] was the frontrunner for the Lakers' position, but he wanted a longer-term deal and rejected the team's three-year offer.[74][75] He instead joined the Clippers as an assistant.[76]

The Clippers became a popular pick to win the NBA championship.

Marcus Morris from the New York Knicks, but the Clippers prevailed as the Lakers had limited assets to trade as a result of the Davis deal.[71] The Lakers acquired his twin brother, Markieff Morris, later in the month.[83]

After the months-long

2019–20 NBA season suspension concluded in the 2020 NBA Bubble area, the Lakers ended the regular season with the best record in the Western Conference, while the Clippers finished second.[84] The Lakers advanced to the Conference Finals after eliminating Houston 4–1, and they awaited the winner of the other semifinals series, where the Clippers were up 3–2 at the time against the Denver Nuggets.[85] However, the Clippers were eliminated 4–3,[86] blowing a 3–1 series lead after being up in the final three games by 16, 19, and 12 points, respectively.[82] The Lakers advanced to the Finals for the first time since 2010, where they defeated Miami 4–2 for their 17th NBA title, tying the Celtics for the most in league history.[77]

During the offseason, Clippers free agent

mid-level exception to join the Lakers.[87] The Clippers replaced Rivers as head coach with his assistant Lue.[75] Despite losing Leonard in the playoffs after a partial tear of the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee,[88] they advanced to the Western Conference Finals for the first time in franchise history. However, they ultimately lost their first Western Conference Finals series 4–2 to the Phoenix Suns, who coincidentally also beat the Lakers 4–2 in the first round in their first playoff appearance since 2010. In 2021–22, the Lakers added Russell Westbrook to team with James and Davis, and were again favorites to win the West, while the Clippers expected Leonard to be out for most of the season after knee surgery.[89] The Clippers swept the season series with the Lakers and extended their winning streak in the rivalry to seven.[90] They were 32–7 against the Lakers since 2012–13.[91]
After being bought out by the Utah Jazz, Russell Westbrook signed with the Clippers.

In the teams' first meeting of the 2023–24 NBA season, the Lakers exacted their revenge against the Clippers, winning 130–125 in overtime. The win ended the Lakers' 11-game losing streak over the Clippers, and was highlighted by LeBron James' 35-point performance, surpassing Karl Malone for the most 30-point games since turning 35.[92] On February 28, 2024, the Lakers won 116–112 against the Clippers in their last regular season meeting as co-tenants of Crypto.com Arena. LeBron James helped rally the Lakers back from a 21-point deficit by scoring 19 points all by himself during the fourth quarter.[93] Barring the two teams meeting each other for the first time in the 2024 NBA playoffs, it will also be the last game the two play in as co-tenants for the Crypto.com Arena.

Crypto.com Arena

The Crypto.com Arena serves as the home arena for both the Lakers and Clippers.

The

Crosstown Series in Chicago and the Freeway Series
in Los Angeles.

The Lakers' locker room is larger than the Clippers’.[94] The arena's seats were originally colored purple, the primary color of the Lakers, as well as the primary colors at the time of construction for the Los Angeles Kings, the National Hockey League (NHL) team that also shares Staples.[97][98][99] However, the seats were replaced with black ones in 2005.[97] The Clippers are the only one of the four tenants in the arena without any banners hanging to commemorate championships or retired numbers (the team electing to place the banners for their two division titles in their practice facility instead of the Crypto.com Arena).[c][100]

Starting in the 2013–14 season, during their home games, the Clippers cover the Lakers' banners, which was the Clippers' then-new coach

LED lights were installed for the Clippers and Kings prior to their 2014–15 seasons that produced a similar effect to the Lakers' lighting.[102][103]

Crypto.com Arena during Lakers (top) and Clippers (bottom) home games.

Hollywood celebrities are often present at Lakers games, most notably Jack Nicholson, while the most recognizable Clipper fan at times is superfan Clipper Darrell.[94] "We do at times feel like the stepchild", said player DeAndre Jordan. "But at the same time, those guys have been highly successful. They have banners in their arena."[2] Citing the energy of Clippers fans, Bryant called away games against the Clippers at Crypto.com Arena his second favorite venue behind Madison Square Garden, the home of the New York Knicks.[104]

During exhibition games in December 2012 between the two teams, courtside seats with the Lakers as the designated home team were sold at $2,750, while the same seats at the Clippers home game days later went for $1,100.[33] Before the arrival of Griffin and Paul, both among the top players in the NBA, the Clippers would market their opponents' star players to improve ticket sales.[36] As attractive as the Clippers were becoming, it was hard to overcome Los Angeles' affection for the Lakers that had spanned over 50 years.[36] For the 2015–16 season, the Clippers will be charging more than the Lakers for their top courtside seats. The Clippers' top tickets will cost $2,840 each—which include food, parking, and admission to an exclusive Clippers hospitality room—while the Lakers' remained at $2,750 without food or parking.[105]

The Lakers and Clippers often play doubleheaders at Crypto.com Arena, having played back-to-back games on the same day almost 60 times as of 2012. Separate admission is required for each game, with each team playing a different opponent. In between games, the court is reassembled with the respective home team's floor, which differ only in their paint scheme.[94] The Clippers, who have only third priority behind the Lakers and Kings for arena scheduling, typically play the less preferable day game in a league where players and coaches are more familiar playing at night.[106][107] Outside of Los Angeles, the last doubleheader in the NBA was in 1972 at Seattle Center Coliseum (now Climate Pledge Arena), when the Portland Trail Blazers played the Houston Rockets and the Seattle SuperSonics played the Philadelphia 76ers.[94]

The Clippers' lease at Crypto.com Arena ends following the conclusion of their 2023–24 season. In July 2020, the team received city approval for their proposed Intuit Dome;[108] as part of the deal, Clippers owner Steve Ballmer purchased The Forum (the Lakers' home arena from 1967 to 1999) from Madison Square Garden Sports.[109] The Clippers are expected to move to the Intuit Dome starting in the 2024–25 season.[110] However, the Lakers' lease at the Crypto.com Arena was extended until 2041.[111]

Annual finishes

Season NBA season
W Wins
L Losses
% Winning percentage
Playoffs Final result in season's playoffs
Series Record in season's head-to-head matchups
* Lakers had more regular season wins than Clippers
Clippers had more regular season wins than Lakers
Lakers won season series against the Clippers
§ Clippers won season series against the Lakers
Season Lakers Clippers Series
Team W L % Playoffs Team W L % Playoffs
1984–85 L.A. Lakers 62* 20 .756 Won Finals L.A. Clippers 31 51 .378 LAL 6–0
1985–86 L.A. Lakers 62* 20 .756 Lost Western Conference Finals L.A. Clippers 32 50 .390 LAL 4–2
1986–87 L.A. Lakers 65* 17 .793 Won Finals L.A. Clippers 12 70 .146 LAL 6–0
1987–88 L.A. Lakers 62* 20 .756 Won Finals L.A. Clippers 17 65 .207 LAL 5–1
1988–89 L.A. Lakers 57* 25 .695 Lost Finals L.A. Clippers 21 61 .256 LAL 5–1
1989–90 L.A. Lakers 63* 19 .768 Lost Western Conference Semifinals L.A. Clippers 30 52 .366 LAL 4–1
1990–91 L.A. Lakers 58* 24 .707 Lost Finals L.A. Clippers 31 51 .378 LAL 4–0
1991–92 L.A. Lakers 43 39 .524 Lost Western Conference First Round L.A. Clippers 45 37 .549 Lost Western Conference First Round LAL 3–2
1992–93 L.A. Lakers 39 43 .476 Lost Western Conference First Round L.A. Clippers 41 41 .500 Lost Western Conference First Round LAC 3–2§
1993–94 L.A. Lakers 33* 49 .402 L.A. Clippers 27 55 .329 LAL 3–2
1994–95 L.A. Lakers 48* 34 .646 Lost Western Conference Semifinals L.A. Clippers 17 65 .207 LAL 3–2
1995–96 L.A. Lakers 53* 29 .646 Lost Western Conference First Round L.A. Clippers 29 53 .354 LAL 4–0
1996–97 L.A. Lakers 56* 26 .683 Lost Western Conference Semifinals L.A. Clippers 36 46 .439 Lost Western Conference First Round 2–2
1997–98 L.A. Lakers 61* 21 .744 Lost Western Conference Finals L.A. Clippers 17 65 .207 LAL 4–0
1998–99 L.A. Lakers 31* 19 .620 Lost Western Conference Semifinals L.A. Clippers 9 41 .180 LAL 4–0
1999–2000 L.A. Lakers 67* 15 .817 Won Finals L.A. Clippers 15 67 .183 LAL 4–0
2000–01 L.A. Lakers 56* 26 .707 Won Finals L.A. Clippers 31 51 .378 LAL 3–1
2001–02 L.A. Lakers 58* 24 .707 Won Finals L.A. Clippers 39 43 .476 LAL 3–1
2002–03 L.A. Lakers 50* 32 .610 Lost Western Conference Semifinals L.A. Clippers 27 55 .329 LAL 4–0
2003–04 L.A. Lakers 56* 26 .683 Lost Finals L.A. Clippers 28 54 .341 LAL 3–1
2004–05 L.A. Lakers 34 48 .415 L.A. Clippers 37 45 .451 2–2
2005–06 L.A. Lakers 45 37 .549 Lost Western Conference First Round L.A. Clippers 47 35 .573 Lost Western Conference Semifinals 2–2
2006–07 L.A. Lakers 42* 40 .512 Lost Western Conference First Round L.A. Clippers 40 42 .488 2–2
2007–08 L.A. Lakers 57* 25 .695 Lost Finals L.A. Clippers 23 59 .280 LAL 4–0
2008–09 L.A. Lakers 65* 17 .793 Won Finals L.A. Clippers 19 63 .232 LAL 4–0
2009–10 L.A. Lakers 57* 25 .695 Won Finals L.A. Clippers 29 53 .354 2–2
2010–11 L.A. Lakers 57* 25 .695 Lost Western Conference Semifinals L.A. Clippers 32 50 .390 LAL 3–1
2011–12 L.A. Lakers 41* 25 .625 Lost Western Conference Semifinals L.A. Clippers 40 26 .606 Lost Western Conference Semifinals LAL 2–1
2012–13 L.A. Lakers 45 37 .549 Lost Western Conference First Round L.A. Clippers 56 26 .683 Lost Western Conference First Round LAC 4–0§
2013–14 L.A. Lakers 27 55 .329 L.A. Clippers 57 25 .695 Lost Western Conference Semifinals LAC 3–1§
2014–15 L.A. Lakers 21 61 .256 L.A. Clippers 56 26 .683 Lost Western Conference Semifinals LAC 4–0§
2015–16 L.A. Lakers 17 65 .207 L.A. Clippers 53 29 .646 Lost Western Conference First Round LAC 4–0§
2016–17 L.A. Lakers 26 56 .317 L.A. Clippers 51 31 .622 Lost Western Conference First Round LAC 3–1§
2017–18 L.A. Lakers 35 47 .427 L.A. Clippers 42 40 .512 LAC 3–1§
2018–19 L.A. Lakers 37 45 .451 L.A. Clippers 48 34 .585 Lost Western Conference First Round 2–2
2019–20 L.A. Lakers 52* 19 .732 Won Finals L.A. Clippers 49 23 .681 Lost Western Conference Semifinals 2–2
2020–21 L.A. Lakers 42 30 .583 Lost Western Conference First Round L.A. Clippers 47 25 .653 Lost Western Conference Finals LAC 3–0§
2021–22 L.A. Lakers 33 49 .402 L.A. Clippers 42 40 .512 LAC 4–0§
2022–23
L.A. Lakers
43 39 .524 Lost Western Conference Finals
L.A. Clippers
44 38 .537 Lost Western Conference First Round LAC 4–0§
2023–24
L.A. Lakers
32 28 .533 TBD
L.A. Clippers
37 20 .649 TBD LAL 3–1

Notes

  1. ^ Only includes games since the Clippers moved to Los Angeles; does not include games when the franchise was known as the Buffalo Braves or San Diego Clippers. The Lakers lead 153–86 all-time against the Braves/Clippers franchise.[12]
  2. ^ The Buffalo Braves set the previous mark with a five-game win against the Lakers (November 3, 1974 – November 18, 1975)[64]
  3. ^ Crypto.com Arena is also home to the Los Angeles Sparks of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA).

See also

References

General
  • "Los Angeles Clippers Franchise Index". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved January 25, 2013.
  • "Los Angeles Lakers Franchise Index". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved January 25, 2013.
Specific
  1. ^ a b Bresnahan, Mike (October 30, 2008). "No problems with their second wind". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 1, 2012.
  2. ^ a b c Gold, Jon (January 29, 2011). "Clippers Becoming Relevant in Los Angeles". New York Times. Retrieved November 1, 2012.
  3. ^ Niesen, Joan (October 30, 2012). "NBA's Western Conference hard to figure". Foxsportswest.com. Retrieved November 2, 2012.
  4. ^ Kavner, Rowan (January 6, 2015). "Clippers Face Lakers, Unfazed By Teams' History". NBA.com. Archived from the original on January 10, 2015.
  5. ^ Amick, Sam (November 1, 2012). "Clippers have leg up on Lakers to start NBA season". USA Today. Retrieved November 2, 2012.
  6. ^ Abrams, Jonathan (February 11, 2011). "Confetti Falls as Cavaliers End Drought". New York Times. Retrieved November 2, 2012.
  7. ^ Harris, Beth (May 10, 2012). "Grizzlies-Clippers Preview". yahoo.com. Associated Press. Archived from the original on October 22, 2017. Retrieved November 2, 2012.
  8. ^ "Clippers look to build on start of something good". ESPN. Associated Press. October 24, 2012. Retrieved November 2, 2012.
  9. ^ Bolch, Ben (May 18, 2015). "Restricted Clippers hope to add some pieces in off-season". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on May 21, 2015.
  10. ^ Kamenetzky, Andy. "Lakers vs. Clippers: What to watch – Los Angeles Lakers Blog – ESPN Los Angeles". ESPN. Retrieved November 1, 2012.
  11. ^ "Caruso hits high note as Lakers beat Clippers". Reuters.com. April 6, 2019. Archived from the original on October 15, 2020. Retrieved October 8, 2020.
  12. ^ "Los Angeles Lakers vs. Los Angeles Clippers All-Time Head-to-Head Record in the NBA". LandOfBasketball.com. Retrieved October 21, 2022.
  13. ^ https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199912140LAL.html
  14. ^ https://www.nba.com/game/lal-vs-lac-0022300848/
  15. ^ https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/197010300LAL.html
  16. ^ "Stone-Cold Lakers Drop Contest Against Clippers". The Press-Courier. Associated Press. October 25, 1978. p. 21. Retrieved October 31, 2012.
  17. ^ a b "Lakers, Clippers rivalry shows great potential". The Spokesman-Review. Associated Press. November 27, 1984. p. B4. Retrieved October 31, 2012.
  18. ^ Wolff, Alexander (December 3, 1984). "They're Trying To Trim The Lakers' Sales". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved November 2, 2012.
  19. ^ "Lakers down Clippers in 'Battle of LA'". The Tuscaloosa News. January 17, 1986. p. 17. Retrieved October 31, 2012.
  20. ^ "L.A. jumps on Clippers' bandwagon". Spartanburg Herald-Journal. Associates Press. April 18, 1992. p. C4. Retrieved October 31, 2012.
  21. ^ a b Bresnahan, Mike (February 14, 2013). "Clippers dominate Lakers, 125-101, to win season series". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 14, 2013.
  22. ^ "Los Angeles Lakers at Los Angeles Clippers Box Score, February 4, 1997". basketball-reference.com.
  23. ^ "Los Angeles Lakers at Los Angeles Clippers Box Score, March 12, 1998". basketball-reference.com.
  24. ^ "Los Angeles Lakers at Los Angeles Clippers Box Score, February 25, 1999". basketball-reference.com.
  25. ^ Los Angeles Times
  26. ^ Hubbard, Jan (November 11, 1991). "Lakers now face brutal reality of life without Magic". The Register-Guard. p. 2B. Retrieved October 31, 2012.
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