Unraveling the LA Clippers Curse: Myth or Misfortune?
The Clippers: LA’s Overlooked Basketball Franchise
When most people think of Los Angeles sports, the Lakers are the team that instantly comes to mind. Boasting a rich history and a global following, the Lakers have long taken center stage in LA basketball. Beyond basketball, the city’s professional teams—the Dodgers, Kings, Galaxy, Sparks, and Rams—have all clinched championships, further casting a shadow over the Clippers’ legacy.
The Clippers, despite their more than 50 years in the league, have never claimed an NBA championship or even a conference title. This lack of hardware has left fans questioning if the franchise is plagued by bad luck—a supposed “curse” that has kept ultimate success perpetually out of reach.
As each NBA season unfolds, speculation arises: Is this finally the year the Clippers will break through, or is there something deeper at play?
Tracing the Origins: What Is the Clippers’ Curse?
Supporters often use the term “Clippers curse” to describe the string of misfortunes and disappointing outcomes that have characterized the team’s journey. Established in 1970 as the Buffalo Braves, the franchise relocated to San Diego in 1978, adopting the Clippers name. Despite changing cities and names, misfortune stuck.
In their early decades, winning was a rare experience. For more than 20 seasons, the Clippers managed only a single playoff win, as constant obstacles arose both on and off the court. Even when impressive talent raised hopes—like during the 2021 postseason, when they fought back from series deficits to reach the Western Conference Finals—the dream inevitably slipped away.
Detangling the Curse: Three Persistent Theories
A Tarnished Tenure: The Donald Sterling Era
One of the most enduring theories behind the Clippers’ struggles traces back to the tenure of owner Donald Sterling. Gaining the team in 1981, Sterling was branded the “worst owner in sports” by multiple media outlets. Despite making grand promises to fans, he oversaw a team that posted the lowest winning percentage in all major American sports over his three-decade reign.
Playoff appearances were rare under Sterling, with the Clippers missing the postseason far more often than qualifying. And while the team saw brief success with three consecutive playoff berths between 2012 and 2014, this was a small bright spot in an otherwise gloomy era.
The Sterling chapter ended amid scandal. In 2014, a leaked recording exposed racist remarks made by Sterling. The backlash was swift—NBA figures and the public demanded his removal. The NBA responded with a lifetime ban and a $2.5 million fine, and ultimately forced a sale of the team to Steve Ballmer. Despite the new ownership offering hope, the specter of Sterling’s reign lingers as a key part of the Clippers’ troubled narrative.
Post-Sterling Struggles: Lingering Disappointment
The shift in ownership marked a new era. The 2010s saw the Clippers become regular playoff contenders, qualifying for the postseason nine times in a ten-year span between 2011 and 2021—a vast improvement on decades past.
Yet, internal discord continued to haunt the team. The high-profile duo of Chris Paul and Blake Griffin delivered thrilling basketball but struggled with chemistry, never progressing beyond the early rounds. Despite acquiring new stars like Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, history seemed to repeat itself.
Notably, in 2020, the Clippers squandered a commanding 3-1 series lead to the Denver Nuggets, falling short of the city showdown with the Lakers that could have redefined their legacy. The following year, they reached the franchise’s first-ever Conference Finals, only to suffer another stunning defeat at the hands of the Phoenix Suns—highlighted by a miraculous buzzer-beating dunk, underscoring yet another instance of heartbreak.
The Buffalo Connection: A Shared Fate?
Some believe the Clippers’ tough luck is tied to their original roots. The franchise began its journey in Buffalo, where sports fans are famously familiar with heartache. The Buffalo Bills, for example, made it to four consecutive Super Bowls from 1991-1994 and lost each time—most memorably in 1991 when a missed field goal sealed their fate.
Could there be a lingering jinx linking the two franchises? For some fans, this shared origin amplifies a sense of predestined struggle, as if both teams are destined to repeatedly fall just short, no matter where they call home.
Looking Ahead: Can the Clippers Rewrite the Script?
Despite the seemingly endless cycle of misfortune—whether stemming from internal disputes, mismanagement, or inexplicable bad breaks—there remains hope for a brighter future. History has shown that so-called “curses” can eventually be broken. The Philadelphia Eagles and English soccer club Birmingham City both overcame legendary hexes to achieve rare championship glory, offering the Clippers a blueprint for optimism.
Fans may joke that “it’s the hope that kills you,” but the possibility for redemption remains. With renewed leadership, star talent, and a persistent fan base, the door is always open for the Clippers to someday shed their history of heartbreak—and finally claim their place among basketball’s elite.
