If being a Los Angeles Clippers fan wasn’t difficult enough in a city dominated by purple and gold, it only got harder this off-season. The franchise was hit with the harshest penalties in NBA history, fined a record $30 million and losing years of top draft picks. The owner, Steve Ballmer, was suspended for a year. And a once-promising championship core, broken apart.
Yet, diehard Clippers fans have always persisted throughout remarkable ups and downs. Now, at arguably the most critical point in the organization’s history, they are still showing up.
On Wednesday night, the 2026-27 Clippers debuted with a 121-96 victory over the Sacramento Kings in the season and home opener at the Intuit Dome before a near-capacity crowd of 17,927, and it was the kind of night that the most loyal fans needed.
Before tipoff, fans in The Swell, the superfan club situated in the steepest portion of the arena, were already on their feet. The group stands out (literally) in red bomber jackets with “Already Swell” stitched on the back.
The organization also gave fans the opportunity to step into the new era with them: a jersey swap. Fans who arrived with Leonard, Harden or Paul jerseys could walk out of the arena with Garland, Wagler or Hachimura on their backs. It was an offer hard to refuse for anyone owning a jersey bearing a name no longer with the franchise.
On the court, the Clippers delivered an electric start. Point guard Darius Garland grabbed a microphone and thanked the fans right before tipoff, then went a perfect 5 for 5 in the first 6 minutes, while the Clippers exploded for 41 points in the first quarter.
For Fernando Zendejas, a Los Angeles resident who’s been a fan since 1989, the organization’s punishments are difficult to swallow.
“We’re in limbo for the next half-decade with picks and all these sanctions. It sucks, but I’m a diehard fan,” Zendejas said. “I’ve been one since I was a kid. I’m not going to turn my back on my team.”
Zendejas raised his son and nephew as Clipper fans who grew up watching Lob City, and never once considered rooting for another team. He wants the loyalty to go both ways. “[The Clippers] just need to stay loyal to the fan base that do show up to the games … the fans who stick with the team through thick and thin.”
Many fans said they draw a clear line between the team and its leadership. The NBA suspended Ballmer for a year, and president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank for six months without pay.
“People have a perspective of the Clippers that they think we’re damaged because of the whole cap circumvention, and Steve Ballmer and Lawrence getting kicked out, but they’re forgetting that those guys are not the team,” said Paul Boulous, a member of The Swell. “Our team is the guys actually on the court. They’re going to surprise a lot of people this season.”
Boulous, sporting a hat with the early 2010s Clippers logo, said members received a generous ticket discount. “What they’re trying to do is support us through this tough time, and we’re going to support them right back.”
The venue itself is also part of the excitement for fans. Intuit Dome gave the Clippers their own space after years of sharing arenas with a few L.A. pro teams. No more roommates, the Clippers got their own cool pad. And it’s designed around fan participation and engagement.
“With the new arena, just getting our own home, I think that’s what we needed,” said Long Beach resident Sherwin Sales. Sales, a fan since, as he described it, “the Darius Miles days,” said that he always preferred the Clippers to the Lakers.
“I like the grittiness,” he said. “The Clippers have always been the underdog. It’s nice to see them succeed.”
Sales also said he liked Ballmer’s ownership and presence on the court.
“It was nice to see an owner that was excited about the team,” Sales said. “That energy will be missed.”
Clippers Coach Ty Lue dedicated the opening-night victory to Ballmer. “The fans were electric. That’s what he [Ballmer] brings every single night, kicking and screaming,” Lue said. “It was odd [not seeing him], but we’ll keep him in our hearts … definitely want to dedicate this win for him tonight.”
Many Clips fans already appear tied to the next chapter rather than the old one. San Diego native Alejandro Balenzuela wore a jersey representing Keaton Wagler, the promising rookie guard and lottery pick. He said he came to the team because of Kawhi Leonard, who was traded to Toronto. “I grew up watching them,” he said. “They’re a fun team. I’ve loved Kawhi ever since he got out of San Diego State. That was my main reason, but I’ve just stayed with them.”
Not everyone is sold. Wendell Pena, an L.A. resident, was skeptical. “They’ve given up so much to try and build a really good roster, and it never works out,” he said. “It’s hard to like a team that’s so consistently bad at keeping fans happy.”
Forward Rui Hachimura, who came across town from the Lakers, only shot 3 for 13, but drew some of the arena’s loudest cheers from a Japanese fan base reflecting his heritage. Tyler Sugai, who works with a travel agency in Japan, said his company is building business around Hachimura.
“We’re creating travel packages from Japan to bring more Japanese customers to watch Clippers games,” Sugai said. “Rui’s here. So, we have to support.”
Orange County resident Amanda Deno, who became a fan only a few years ago, has been in The Swell since it began. Nothing has changed her mind about showing up.
“You just can’t quit. These are your people. These are Clippers friends, and when you’re walking around L.A., they’re hard to find. This is where you find them,” she said.
“Being a Clippers fan, you had to defend yourself already being in L.A. It made it a little harder, and you’re what, embarrassed? No. That’s what makes you a fan. You stick with your team.”