Tyronn Lue made sure Steve Ballmer’s name was attached to the Clippers’ first win of the 2026-27 season.
After LA opened the year with a 121-96 rout of the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday night, Lue used his postgame comments to salute the suspended owner, who was absent from his usual baseline seat as the league punishes him for his role in the salary cap circumvention scandal.
“First off, that win was for Mr. Ballmer,” Lue said.
“You know, just want to say thank you for everything, and we're still fighting for him. That's number one.
“Number two, I thought we got off to a good start moving to basketball, playing the right way. Then we got stagnant, you know, in that second quarter. So we got to be better, you know, all the way through the game.”
The Clippers looked in control almost immediately, and Darius Garland set the tone by hitting his first five shots, including three from deep. He piled up 16 points in the opening quarter alone and spent plenty of time celebrating with the crowd after his makes.
Garland finished with 30 points, leading a Clippers attack that featured six players in double figures.
Rookie Keaton Wagler also made a strong first impression in his NBA debut, putting up 15 points, five rebounds, five assists and two steals while shooting 50 percent from the field in 28 minutes.
The win came with Ballmer watching from away instead of from the seat Clippers fans are used to seeing him occupy. John Gibson filled in as interim governor, and Lue said the crowd still brought the energy Ballmer is known for.
“The fans were electric and that's what he brings every single night, you know, kicking and screaming,” Lue added. “And I thought the fans did a hell of a job just coming out supporting and we need that. You know, our team needs that no matter the circumstances.
“And I thought tonight, you know, we came out. John Gibson did a great job with the ticket sales.
The business side did a great job with ticket sales, filling the arena tonight. And I thought our fans were unbelievable tonight.”
Lue later circled back to Ballmer again, calling the empty seat unusual while making it clear the team had him on its mind.
“Yeah, and kicking and screaming when we go up 20 points. Yeah, it was odd, you know.
But, like I said, we keep him in our hearts. He provided a great living for everyone in this arena and, you know, one of the best men that I know.
You know, so we definitely want to dedicate this one to him tonight.”
The Clippers also had to navigate the night without Ballmer, Gillian Zucker and Lawrence Frank in their usual roles. Zucker is serving a one-year suspension, while Frank is suspended for six months, all tied to the same scandal involving Kawhi Leonard.
With the opening win in the books, the Clippers are 1-0 and now turn to Friday night’s matchup with Luka Doncic and the Los Angeles Lakers.
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For a team that spent the summer navigating the departure of Kawhi Leonard and the fallout from league sanctions tied to salary-cap circumvention, this was more than just a clean start. It was a reminder that the Clippers can still generate hope from inside the building, especially when Garland is steering the attack and the supporting cast is active enough to make opponents feel rushed from the opening tip. [Read more 🡒]