The LA Clippers started the season with a 121-96 win over the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday night in front of 17,927 fans at Intuit Dome, while owner Steve Ballmer serves a one-year suspension that keeps him away from the team.
The Clippers, determined to stay together in their billionaire owner’s absence, dedicated the victory to him. “First off, that win was for Mr. Ballmer,” coach Tyronn Lue said in opening his postgame comments. “Just want to say thank you for everything, and we’re still fighting for him.”
A suspension over Kawhi Leonard
Ballmer was banned from all league and team activities in September after the NBA found the Clippers guilty of violating salary cap circumvention rules involving Kawhi Leonard, who was traded to the Toronto Raptors last month. The league said Ballmer knowingly sought to help Leonard obtain off-court income opportunities.
The ban means no phone calls, no texts and no hobnobbing with the people he normally talks to about his team. Ballmer apologised for the scandal last month, and the Clippers have already paid their $30 million fine. The punishment also included the loss of five consecutive first-round draft picks from 2029 through 2033, and a six-month suspension for president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank.
Players and coaches feel his absence
Darius Garland, who led the Clippers with 30 points, said the team felt Ballmer’s presence even though he was not there. “He was definitely here in spirit,” Garland said. “Somebody was at his seats, and we felt the energy. It wasn’t his energy, but we felt his energy.”
Looking over and not seeing Ballmer’s familiar bald head in his courtside seat near the team bench was odd, Lue said. “We keep him in our hearts,” Lue said. “He provided a great living for everyone in this arena. One of the best men that I know.”
Veteran centre Brook Lopez missed Ballmer’s over-the-top zeal, which included fist-pumping, yelling and a flushed red face. “He brings such a great energy, such a great enthusiasm to each and every home game,” Lopez said. “He’s always there sitting in his seat, rallying us, getting behind us, getting on the refs. I love that, obviously.”
The arena and the interim leadership
In a mea culpa, the Clippers offered free parking at their glitzy, tech-heavy arena for the season opener. Ballmer privately financed the $2 billion project, which opened in 2024 and hosted the All-Star Game in February.
“It’s the house he built, so we try to protect that as much as we can,” Garland said.
Ballmer would meet with Lue shortly before tipoff of every home game. Instead, John Gibson, who is filling Ballmer’s roles of CEO and governor on an interim basis, talked with the coach.
“But there’s nobody like Mr. Ballmer, and we miss him,” Lue said. “We’ve got to keep it going for him.”