Tyronn Lue made sure the Clippers’ opening night blowout came with a message attached.
After Los Angeles rolled past the Kings 121-96 on Wednesday to start the 2026-27 season, the Clippers coach pointed the win toward suspended owner Steve Ballmer. It was a loud start on the scoreboard, but Lue used the postgame spotlight to make the tribute personal.
"That win was for Mr. Ballmer," Lue said with a smile.
"Just want to say thank you for everything. We're still fighting for him."
The Clippers are trying to steady themselves after a chaotic offseason, with hopes of landing in the West’s play-in mix. Beating Sacramento gave them a clean first step, even if the bigger picture around the franchise remains messy.
That mess comes from the NBA’s investigation, which found "a pattern of misconduct and multiple significant rules violations" by the Clippers. The league said the team "affirmatively initiated off-court income opportunities" and helped arrange "endorsement agreements" between Kawhi Leonard and four companies.
The fallout was severe: five first-round picks forfeited, a $30 million fine, and suspensions for Ballmer and two other team executives. Leonard has since been traded to the Raptors.
Ballmer’s suspension, handed down in September, keeps him out of all league and team activities. He is usually impossible to miss courtside, but for now he’s out of the building. Lue made it clear he hasn’t forgotten his owner, calling Ballmer "one of the best men I know," while Clippers guard Darius Garland said Ballmer was "here in spirit."
"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, so we definitely want to dedicate this one to him tonight."
The timing of the tribute fit, too. The Clippers are staring at a punishing stretch ahead with the Lakers twice, then the Thunder, Timberwolves, Warriors and Raptors. After the win over the Kings, Lue had his moment to salute the team’s suspended boss before the schedule gets a lot tougher.
Los Angeles still has a long climb back after losing five future first-round picks in the punishment, but Lue sounded like a coach focused on the road ahead - and on letting Ballmer know the night belonged to him.
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Doug Christie acknowledged Achiuwa's effectiveness, and that matters because the Kings are not just chasing one good performance here, they are weighing fit. Scott Perry is still evaluating DeAndre Hunters role after Hunter returned from eye surgery, and Achiuwas showing only sharpened the comparison between the two. For a team still trying to settle its frontcourt pecking order, one strong night can have a way of becoming a real conversation. [Read more 🡒]