Clippers dedicate opening win over Kings to banned Ballmer — SkimNews
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- Steve Ballmer is serving a one-year NBA suspension from all league and team activities, handed down in September after the Clippers were found guilty of salary cap circumvention involving Kawhi Leonard; the NBA said Ballmer knowingly helped Leonard obtain off-court income opportunities.
- Kawhi Leonard was traded to the Toronto Raptors last month as part of the scandal's fallout, leaving the Clippers without their franchise star.
- The Clippers' punishment includes a $30 million fine (already paid), 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.
- Tyronn Lue opened his postgame news conference by saying 'that win was for Mr. Ballmer' after the 121-96 rout of the Kings before 17,927 fans at Intuit Dome.
- Darius Garland led the Clippers with 30 points and said of Ballmer's empty courtside seat: 'He was definitely here in spirit.'
- The Clippers offered free parking at Intuit Dome for the season opener as a mea culpa to fans; Ballmer privately financed the $2 billion arena, which opened in 2024 and hosted February's All-Star Game.
Why it matters: Ballmer's one-year ban strips the Clippers of their most visible leader just as they lose Kawhi Leonard to Toronto, with day-to-day operations falling to interim CEO John Gibson. The $30M fine is already paid, but forfeiting five first-round picks (2029-2033) and the six-month suspension of Lawrence Frank gut the franchise's rebuild options for the next half-decade.
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