1998–99 Los Angeles Clippers season

NBA professional basketball team season August 2023 March 2026 Los Angeles Clippers National Basketball Association 1999 9 41 Pacific 7 13 Chris Ford Los Angeles Memorial Sports ArenaArrowhead Pond Donald Sterling KCAL-TVFox Sports West 2(Ralph Lawler, Bill Walton) KXTA(Rory Markas) Did not qualify LAC The 1998–99 Los Angeles Clippers season was the 29th season for the Los Angeles Clippers in the National Basketball Association, and their 15th season in Los Angeles, California. Los Angeles Clippers Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/LAC/ August 7, 2026 Due to a lockout, the regular season began on February 5, 1999, and was cut from 82 games to 50. CBS News.com Staff NBA: Let The Games Begin! CBS News January 6, 1999 https://www.cbsnews.com/news/nba-let-the-games-begin/ December 15, 2022 This was also the team's final season in which they played their home games at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena, and played occasional home games at the Arrowhead Pond in Anaheim, California. Season summary Off-season The Clippers won the NBA draft lottery, and selected center Michael Olowokandi out of Pacific University with the first overall pick in the 1998 NBA draft. Wise Mike Pro Basketball: 7 Feet 1 Inch of Potential at No. 1 The New York Times June 25, 1998 https://www.nytimes.com/1998/06/25/sports/pro-basketball-7-feet-1-inch-of-potential-at-no-1.html July 25, 2021 Associated Press Olowokandi Is the Center of Attention Los Angeles Times June 25, 1998 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-jun-25-sp-63550-story.html September 14, 2025 1998 NBA Draft Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1998.html December 1, 2022 During the off-season, the team signed free agents Sherman Douglas, White Lonnie Douglas Is Expected to Sign Los Angeles Times February 4, 1999 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-feb-04-sp-4941-story.html June 29, 2022 CBS News.com Staff Douglas to Shoot for Clippers CBS News February 4, 1999 https://www.cbsnews.com/news/douglas-to-shoot-for-clippers/#app December 15, 2022 and undrafted rookie small forward Tyrone Nesby, White Lonnie Nesby Adjusts to His Role Off Bench Los Angeles Times November 4, 1999 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-nov-04-sp-29889-story.html October 3, 2022 and hired Chris Ford as their new head coach. Clippers to Name Ford as New Coach The Washington Post January 13, 1999 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1999/01/13/clippers-to-name-ford-as-new-coach/563db62b-95d7-4b75-b638-a8437dae9273/ May 1, 2023 White Lonnie Hoping to Get Ford Tough, Clippers Finally Hire Coach Los Angeles Times January 14, 1999 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-jan-14-sp-63557-story.html November 17, 2022 Regular season However, under Ford and despite the addition of Olowokandi, Nesby and Douglas, the Clippers struggled suffering a dreadful 17-game losing streak to start the regular season. The team's 0–17 record tied the 1988–89 Miami Heat for the then-worst start in NBA history, and would later on be tied by the 2014–15 Philadelphia 76ers; the record would eventually be surpassed by the 2009–10 New Jersey Nets, and the 2015–16 Philadelphia 76ers, who both lost their first 18 games of the regular season. White Lonnie As Clippers Tie Record Losing Streak, Lakers Break Up Winning Hand in Five-Player Trade with Charlotte Los Angeles Times March 11, 1999 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-mar-11-sp-16321-story.html October 12, 2022 CBS News.com Staff  Clippers Tie NBA's Worst Start  CBS News  March 11, 1999  https://www.cbsnews.com/news/clippers-tie-nbas-worst-start/ June 22, 2026 Jenkins Keith  What Are the Worst Starts in NBA History?  ESPN  November 12, 2025  https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/46943433/what-historical-worst-starts-nba-season June 22, 2026 At mid-season, the Clippers signed second-year guard Troy Hudson in March. White Lonnie Hudson Won't Forget Debut Los Angeles Times March 27, 1999 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-mar-27-sp-21561-story.html October 3, 2022 The Clippers posted a six-game losing streak between March and April, which led to a dreadful 3–30 record as of April 6, 1999, and then lost their final six games of the season, finishing in last place in the Pacific Division with an awful 9–41 record. 1998–99 Los Angeles Clippers Schedule and Results Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/LAC/1999_games.html July 15, 2021 The Clippers tied the 1972–73 Philadelphia 76ers for the fourth-lowest win total for a season behind the 1998–99 Vancouver Grizzlies, the 2011–12 Charlotte Bobcats, and the 1947–48 Providence Steamrollers. Second-year forward Maurice Taylor showed improvement becoming the team's starting power forward, averaging 16.8 points and 5.3 rebounds per game, while Lamond Murray played a sixth man role off the bench, averaging 12.2 points per game, and three-point specialist Eric Piatkowski contributed 10.5 points per game, and led the Clippers with 65 three-point field goals. In addition, Nesby provided the team with 10.1 points and 1.5 steals per game, while Olowokandi averaged 8.9 points and 7.9 rebounds per game, and was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team, and Douglas contributed 8.2 points and 4.1 assists per game, but only played 30 games due to injury. Meanwhile, Darrick Martin contributed 8.0 points and 3.9 assists per game, Rodney Rogers provided with 7.4 points per game off the bench, Hudson contributed 6.8 points and 3.7 assists per game in 25 games, and Lorenzen Wright averaged 6.6 points and 7.5 rebounds per game. 1998–99 Los Angeles Clippers Roster and Stats Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/LAC/1999.html July 15, 2021 Taylor finished in seventh place in Most Improved Player voting. 1998–99 NBA Awards Voting Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/awards_1999.html October 23, 2025 For the sixth consecutive year, the Clippers finished last in the NBA in home-game attendance, with an attendance of 256,568 at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena during the regular season, which was 29th in the league. 1998–99 NBA Season Summary Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1999.html January 23, 2026 Aftermath Following the season, Murray was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers after five seasons with the Clippers, Associated Press Cavs Send Anderson to Clips CBS News August 4, 1999 https://www.cbsnews.com/news/cavs-send-anderson-to-clips/ January 30, 2023 Gardner Kris  Lamond Murray Leaves Purgatory  The Houston Roundball Review  August 4, 1999  https://www.thehrr.com/nba/trade_archive/'99-'00season/'99off-season/0804Murray-DA.html June 21, 2026 White Lonnie Clippers Deal the Lakers a Blow Los Angeles Times August 9, 1999 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-aug-09-sp-64115-story.html October 3, 2022 while Rogers signed as a free agent with the Phoenix Suns, Associated Press Rogers' Shooting for the Suns CBS News August 2, 1999 https://www.cbsnews.com/news/rogers-shooting-for-the-suns/ January 2, 2022 Wise Mike Pro Basketball: Trading Begins in the N.B.A. Bazaar The New York Times August 3, 1999 https://www.nytimes.com/1999/08/03/sports/pro-basketball-trading-begins-in-the-nba-bazaar.html July 9, 2023 Kawakami Tim Rogers Agrees to Terms with Suns Los Angeles Times August 3, 1999 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-aug-03-sp-62230-story.html September 15, 2022 and Wright was traded to the Atlanta Hawks. Associated Press Clippers to Make Wright Trade CBS News August 8, 1999 https://www.cbsnews.com/news/clippers-to-make-wright-trade/ January 30, 2023 White Lonnie Clippers to Trade Wright to Atlanta Los Angeles Times August 8, 1999 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-aug-08-sp-63829-story.html October 12, 2022 Wright Traded for $42-Million Tampa Bay Times August 9, 1999 https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1999/08/09/wright-traded-for-42-million/ July 9, 2023 Meanwhile, Douglas re-signed with his former team, the New Jersey Nets, Associated Press Douglas Back in New Jersey CBS News October 20, 1999 https://www.cbsnews.com/news/douglas-back-in-new-jersey/ July 5, 2023 Pro Basketball: Douglas Returns to Play for Nets The New York Times October 21, 1999 https://www.nytimes.com/1999/10/21/sports/pro-basketball-douglas-returns-to-play-for-nets.html October 17, 2022 Martin signed with the Sacramento Kings, and Pooh Richardson was released to free agency. Wise Mike 1999–2000 N.B.A. Preview: The West Is Still the Best The New York Times October 31, 1999 https://www.nytimes.com/1999/10/31/sports/1999-2000-nba-preview-the-west-is-still-the-best.html June 8, 2022 White Lonnie Another Pointed Day for Clippers: Pro Basketball: They Get Murdock in Trade with Nets, But Hear from Falk That Taylor Will Leave Team After the Season Los Angeles Times September 24, 1999 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-sep-24-sp-13692-story.html October 17, 2022 Draft picks 1998 NBA draft Round Pick Player Position Nationality College 1 1 Michael Olowokandi C Pacific 1 22 Brian Skinner PF Baylor Roster Los Angeles Clippers 1998–99 #E30022 #FFFFFF #1A2E8B #FFFFFF 1 Scott Brooks G 5 11 165 –– UC Irvine IN yes 33 Keith Closs C 7 3 215 –– Central Connecticut State 20 Sherman Douglas G 6 0 195 1966–09–15 Syracuse 6 Troy Hudson G 6 1 170 –– Southern Illinois 15 Darrick Martin G 5 11 170 –– UCLA 7 Lamond Murray F 6 7 236 –– California 8 Tyrone Nesby G/F 6 6 225 –– UNLV 34 Michael Olowokandi C 7 0 270 –– Pacific 52 Eric Piatkowski G 6 7 215 1970–09–30 Nebraska 24 Pooh Richardson G 6 1 180 –– UCLA 54 Rodney Rogers F 6 7 260 1971–06–20 Wake Forest 32 Brian Skinner F 6 9 230 –– Michigan 5 Charles Smith Charles Smith (basketball, born August 1975) G 6 5 194 –– New Mexico 23 Maurice Taylor F 6 9 260 –– Michigan 11 Stojko Vrankovic C 7 2 260 –– Croatia yes 55 Lorenzen Wright F/C 6 11 240 –– Memphis Chris Ford Jim Brewer Rex Kalamian Jim Todd (IN) Inactive http://www.nba.com/clippers/roster/ 2009-10-04 Roster Notes Point guard Scott Brooks was on the injured reserve list due to a knee injury, missed the entire regular season, and never played for the Clippers. White Lonnie For Clippers, Loss Is No Big Deal Los Angeles Times January 31, 1999 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-jan-31-sp-3589-story.html December 15, 2022 Regular season Season standings LAC LAC z - clinched division title y - clinched division title x - clinched playoff spot Game log Player statistics PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG Maurice Taylor 46 45 32.7 46.1 16.7 72.8 5.3 1.5 0.3 0.616.8 Lamond Murray 50 13 26.3 39.1 33.0 80.3 3.9 1.2 1.2 0.412.2 Eric Piatkowski 49 38 25.3 43.2 39.4 86.3 2.9 1.1 0.9 0.110.5 Tyrone Nesby 50 36 25.8 44.9 36.5 78.2 3.5 1.6 1.5 0.410.1 Michael Olowokandi 45 36 28.4 43.1 0.0 48.3 7.9 0.6 0.6 1.28.9 Sherman Douglas 30 19 28.1 43.8 0.0 63.2 1.9 4.1 0.9 0.18.2 Darrick Martin 37 25 25.4 36.7 29.2 80.3 1.3 3.9 1.2 0.18.0 James Robinson 14 0 20.0 39.8 26.7 74.1 1.9 1.3 1.0 0.27.6 Rodney Rogers 47 7 20.6 44.1 28.6 67.3 3.8 1.6 1.0 0.57.4 Troy Hudson 25 6 21.0 40.0 31.9 89.5 2.2 3.7 0.4 0.16.8 Lorenzen Wright 48 15 23.6 45.8 0.0 69.2 7.5 0.7 0.5 0.86.6 Brian Skinner 21 0 12.3 46.5 0.0 60.6 2.5 0.0 0.5 0.64.1 Charles Smith 23 10 13.8 36.1 21.2 43.8 1.0 0.6 0.7 0.63.7 Pooh Richardson 11 0 11.8 33.3 0.0 100.0 1.2 2.7 0.4 0.02.5 Keith Closs 15 0 5.8 52.2 0.0 80.0 1.7 0.0 0.2 0.62.1Stojko Vrankovic206.025.00.00.03.00.00.00.01.0 Player statistics citation: Injuries and surgeries Player Injury Date Injury Type Scott Brooks January 30, 1999 Strained right MCL Transactions The Clippers have been involved in the following transactions during the 1998–1999 season. Re-signed Player Signed Contract Darrick Martin January 22, 1999 One-year deal Trades No trades occurred for this team during this season. Free agents 52% Additions Player Signed Former team Scott Brooks January 21 Cleveland Cavaliers Tyrone Nesby January 21 Sioux Falls Skyforce (CBA) Sherman Douglas February 4 New Jersey Nets Troy Hudson March 23 Sioux Falls Skyforce (CBA) Subtractions Player Left New team James Collins free agency, July 1 LaCrosse Bobcats (CBA) Isaac Austin free agency, January 21 Orlando Magic Loy Vaught free agency, January 22 Detroit Pistons Scott Brooks waived, February 19 Los Angeles Stars (ABA) James Robinson waived, March 18 Minnesota Timberwolves Player Transactions Citation:1998–99 Los Angeles Clippers Transactions Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/LAC/1999_transactions.html July 15, 2021 See also 1998-99 NBA season References Category:Los Angeles Clippers seasons Los Angeles Clippers Category:1998 in Los Angeles Category:1999 in Los Angeles Category:1998 in sports in California Category:1999 in sports in California