1991–92 Los Angeles Clippers season

NBA professional basketball team season October 2020 March 2026 Los Angeles Clippers National Basketball Association 1992 45 37 Pacific 5 7 Mike Schuler (fired)Mack Calvin (interim)Larry Brown Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena Donald Sterling KCOP-TV(Ralph Lawler, Mike Fratello)SportsChannel Los Angeles(Joel Meyers, Jerry Tarkanian) KRLA(Rich Marotta) West First Round(lost to Jazz 2–3) LAC The 1991–92 Los Angeles Clippers season was the 22nd season for the Los Angeles Clippers in the National Basketball Association, and their eighth season in Los Angeles, California. Los Angeles Clippers Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/LAC/ August 7, 2026 Season summary Off-season During the off-season, the Clippers acquired Doc Rivers from the Atlanta Hawks on draft day, Goldaper Sam Basketball: The Final Word on Draft: Trades The New York Times June 28, 1991 https://www.nytimes.com/1991/06/28/sports/basketball-the-final-word-on-draft-trades.html December 15, 2021 Howard-Cooper Scott Clippers Make Point in Deal with Hawks: NBA Draft: Team Trades No. 9 Pick and Second-Round Selections in 1993 and 1994 for Guard Doc Rivers. Club Then Takes LeRon Ellis of Syracuse with 22nd Pick Los Angeles Times June 27, 1991 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-06-27-sp-1790-story.html November 18, 2022 Clippers Pull Off Two Trades Tampa Bay Times June 27, 1991 https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1991/06/27/clippers-pull-off-two-trades/ November 18, 2022 and acquired James Edwards from the Detroit Pistons. Sports People: Pro Basketball: 2 Big Trades for Pistons The New York Times August 14, 1991 https://www.nytimes.com/1991/08/14/sports/sports-people-pro-basketball-2-big-trades-for-pistons.html January 19, 2022 Klein Gary Clippers Get Edwards...or a Big Headache: NBA: They Trade Reserve Guard Martin and a Draft Pick to Get 7-Foot-1 Piston Center, But He Is on His Way to Italy Los Angeles Times August 14, 1991 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-08-14-sp-486-story.html January 28, 2023 Regular season With the addition of Rivers and Edwards, the Clippers won five of their first seven games of the regular season. The team posted a six-game losing streak afterwards, but soon posted an eight-game winning streak between November and December, which led them to a 14–10 start to the season. However, the Clippers struggled and soon fell below .500 in winning percentage with a 21–24 record as head coach Mike Schuler was fired.Larry Stewart Schuler Fired as Clippers' Coach Los Angeles Times February 3, 1992 31 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/20386334/schuler_fired_as_clippers_coach/ Newspapers.com After two games under assistant coach Mack Calvin as an interim coach, and holding a 22–25 record at the All-Star break, NBA Games Played on February 6, 1992 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/index.fcgi?month=2&day=6&year=1992 November 21, 2022 the team hired Larry Brown, who resigned as head coach of the San Antonio Spurs a few weeks earlier. Martinez Michael Basketball: Brown's "Last Stop" Is Job with Clippers The New York Times February 7, 1992 https://www.nytimes.com/1992/02/07/sports/basketball-brown-s-last-stop-is-job-with-clippers.html January 15, 2022 Howard-Cooper Scott Brown Is Surprised by Interest of Clippers: Pro Basketball: New coach Says He Expected to Be Out of Work Longer After Being Fired by Spurs Los Angeles Times February 7, 1992 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-02-07-sp-1476-story.html November 18, 2022 Under Brown, the Clippers won 23 of their final 35 games of the season, and finished in fifth place in the Pacific Division with a 45–37 record, earning the seventh seed in the Western Conference. 1991–92 Los Angeles Clippers Schedule and Results Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/LAC/1992_games.html December 1, 2021 The team qualified for their first NBA playoff appearance since the 1975–76 season, when they were known as the Buffalo Braves, and ending a fifteen-year playoff drought. Pro Basketball: Clippers End Long Playoff Wait The New York Times April 17, 1992 https://www.nytimes.com/1992/04/17/sports/pro-basketball-clippers-end-long-playoff-wait.html July 26, 2017 This season was also their first to finish with a winning record above .500 since the 1978–79 season, when they were known as the San Diego Clippers, and also marked the first time that they finished with a better record than their crosstown rival, the Los Angeles Lakers, who finished two games behind them with a 43–39 record. Danny Manning averaged 19.2 points, 6.9 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.5 blocks per game, while Ron Harper averaged 18.2 points, 5.5 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 1.9 steals per game, and Charles D. Smith provided the team with 14.6 points, 6.1 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game, but only played just 49 games due to a knee injury. Charles Smith Out with Knee Injury United Press International October 19, 1991 https://www.upi.com/Archives/1991/10/19/Charles-Smith-out-with-knee-injury/2774687844800/ January 28, 2023 Howard-Cooper Scott Clippers: Smith Has Surgery, Is Out Four to Six Weeks Los Angeles Times October 20, 1991 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-10-20-sp-415-story.html January 28, 2023 Los Angeles Times Clippers' Smith Sidelined 4-6 Weeks Sun Sentinel October 20, 1991 https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1991-10-20-9102120171-story.html January 28, 2023 In addition, Ken Norman contributed 12.1 points and 5.8 rebounds per game, while Rivers provided with 10.9 points, 3.9 assists and 1.9 steals per game, Olden Polynice averaged 8.1 points and 7.1 rebounds per game, and Gary Grant contributed 7.8 points, 6.9 assists and 1.8 steals per game. Meanwhile, Edwards averaged 9.7 points per game off the bench, and second-year forward Loy Vaught provided with 7.6 points and 6.5 rebounds per game. 1991–92 Los Angeles Clippers Roster and Stats Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/LAC/1992.html January 5, 2022 Manning finished tied in 16th place in Most Valuable Player voting, 1991–92 NBA Awards Voting Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/awards_1992.html December 7, 2025 while Brown finished in fourth place in Coach of the Year voting. Associated Press Sports People: Pro Basketball: Nelson's Consolation Prize The New York Times May 22, 1992 https://www.nytimes.com/1992/05/22/sports/sports-people-pro-basketball-nelson-s-consolation-prize.html November 21, 2022 The Clippers finished last in the NBA in home-game attendance, with an attendance of 500,200 at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena during the regular season, which was 27th in the league. 1991–92 NBA Season Summary Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1992.html February 25, 2026 NBA playoffs In the Western Conference First Round of the 1992 NBA playoffs, the Clippers faced off against the 2nd–seeded, and Midwest Division champion Utah Jazz, who were led by the trio of All-Star forward Karl Malone, All-Star guard John Stockton, and Jeff Malone. The Clippers lost the first two games to the Jazz on the road at the Delta Center, before winning Game 3 at home, 98–88 at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena. Game 4 of the series was played at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California, due to the 1992 Los Angeles riots; King Case Aftermath: A City in Crisis: A Status Report  Los Angeles Times  May 2, 1992  https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-05-02-sp-1214-story.html January 8, 2026 Riots Force Lakers, Clippers from L.A.  Tampa Bay Times  May 2, 1992  https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1992/05/02/riots-force-lakers-clippers-from-l-a/ January 8, 2026 Markazi Arash  1992 L.A. Riots: Chaos, Hope and Hoops  ESPN  April 26, 2012  https://www.espn.com/los-angeles/nba/story/_/id/7859510/1992-los-angeles-riots-chaos-hope-hoops-lakers-clippers January 8, 2026 the Clippers defeated the Jazz by a score of 115–107 to even the series. 1992 NBA Western Conference First Round Game 4: Utah Jazz at Los Angeles Clippers Box Score, May 3, 1992 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199205030LAC.html June 27, 2026 However, the Clippers lost Game 5 to the Jazz at the Delta Center, 98–89, thus losing in a hard-fought five-game series. Associated Press Basketball: Jazz Beats Its Demons and Clippers The New York Times May 5, 1992 https://www.nytimes.com/1992/05/05/sports/basketball-jazz-beats-its-demons-and-clippers.html October 14, 2021 Howard-Cooper Scott At Home, It's a Case of All That Jazz: Game 5: Utah Plays a Fourth-Quarter Jam Session to End Season for Clippers, 98-89. Record in Salt Lake City Becomes 40-4 with Seattle Series Ahead Los Angeles Times May 5, 1992 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-05-05-sp-1571-story.html July 26, 2022 1992 NBA Western Conference First Round: Clippers vs. Jazz Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1992-nba-western-conference-first-round-clippers-vs-jazz.html April 18, 2023 Aftermath Following the season, Smith, Rivers, and second-year guard Bo Kimble were all traded to the New York Knicks in a three-team trade, Brown Clifton Basketball: Knicks Get Trade, Thanks to Roberts The New York Times September 23, 1992 https://www.nytimes.com/1992/09/23/sports/basketball-knicks-get-trade-thanks-to-roberts.html?pagewanted=all December 15, 2021 Howard-Cooper Scott Big Man, Big Deal: Roberts a Clipper: Pro Basketball: But They Have to Give Up a Lot to Acquire the Heavyweight Center, and Mark Jackson in Three-Team Deal with New York and Orlando Los Angeles Times September 23, 1992 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-09-23-sp-1257-story.html July 26, 2022 Knicks, Magic, Clippers Complete Trade United Press International September 22, 1992 https://www.upi.com/Archives/1992/09/22/Knicks-Magic-Clippers-complete-trade/2397717134400/ November 18, 2022 while Edwards signed as a free agent with the Los Angeles Lakers, Heisler Mark Edwards, Higgins Sign with Lakers: Basketball: Former Clipper Center Returns to Where He Started; Former Fairfax Standout Played Well in Summer League Los Angeles Times August 14, 1992 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-08-14-sp-5274-story.html November 18, 2022 Around the NBA The Washington Post August 14, 1992 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1992/08/14/around-the-nba/a8e515ef-6ccb-44b5-ae30-156eaa6f0a11/ January 28, 2023 and Polynice was traded to the Detroit Pistons on draft day. Howard-Cooper Scott Clippers Go Forward to MacLean: NBA Draft: Polynice Is Traded to... Los Angeles Times June 25, 1992 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-06-25-sp-1396-story.html?_amp=true November 18, 2022 Howard-Cooper Scott Polynice's Mutual Admiration Society: Pro Basketball: The Former Clipper Returns as a Piston, and Will Be Received by a Fan Club That Gets as Much as It Gives Los Angeles Times November 17, 1992 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-11-17-sp-551-story.html November 18, 2022 Draft picks 1991 NBA draft Round Pick Player Position Nationality College 1 22 LeRon Ellis C/PF United States Syracuse 2 37 Elliot Perry PG United States Memphis 2 38 Joe Wylie PF United States Miami (FL) Roster Los Angeles Clippers 1991–92 #E30022 #FFFFFF #1A2E8B #FFFFFF 53 James Edwards basketball C 7 0 225 1955–11–22 Washington 22 LeRon Ellis PF 6 10 240 1969–04–28 Syracuse 23 Gary Grant PG 6 3 185 1965–04–21 Michigan basketball 4 Ron Harper SG 6 6 185 1964–01–20 Miami (Ohio) 30 Bo Kimble SG 6 4 190 1966–04–09 Loyola Marymount 5 Danny Manning PF 6 10 230 1966–05–17 Kansas 3 Ken Norman SF 6 8 215 1964–09–05 Illinois 0 Olden Polynice C 6 11 220 1964–11–21 Virginia 32 David Rivers PG 6 0 180 1965–01–20 Notre Dame 25 Doc Rivers PG 6 4 185 1961–10–13 Marquette 54 Charles D. Smith PF 6 10 230 1965–07–16 Pittsburgh 35 Loy Vaught SF 6 9 230 1968–02–27 Michigan 21 Danny Young basketball SG 6 4 175 1962–07–26 Wake Forest Larry Brown Mack Calvin John Hammond Roster notes Forward Tony Brown became the 5th former Laker to play with the crosstown rival Clippers. He would later serve as an assistant coach for the team under coaches Mike Dunleavy, Sr. and Kim Hughes from 2008 to 2010 This is point guard David Rivers's second tour of duty with the franchise. He previously played for the team in 1989–1990. Regular season Season standings LAC y – clinched division title x – clinched playoff spot LAC z – clinched division title y – clinched division title x – clinched playoff spot Game log January 2011 Playoffs Los Angeles Clippers 1992 yes #F9160D #1A2E8B Los Angeles Clippers First round yes yes no #1A2E8B #F9160D 2 0 0 3 |- | 1 | April 24 | @ Utah | L 97–115 | Doc Rivers (23) | Charles Smith (9) | Doc Rivers (5) | Delta Center19,911 | 0–1 |- | 2 | April 26 | @ Utah | L 92–103 | Danny Manning (22) | Ken Norman (14) | Doc Rivers (6) | Delta Center19,911 | 0–2 |- | 3 | April 28 | Utah | W 98–88 | Danny Manning (17) | Ron Harper (12) | three players tied (5) | Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena14,086 | 1–2 |- | 4 | May 3 | Utah | W 115–107 | Danny Manning (33) | Danny Manning (10) | Norman, Grant (6) | Anaheim Convention Center7,148 | 2–2 |- | 5 | May 4 | @ Utah | L 89–98 | Danny Manning (24) | Ken Norman (10) | Ron Harper (7) | Delta Center19,911 | 2–3 |- LAC 1992 yes Player statistics Season PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG Brown, Tony Tony Brown 22 0 11.5 .438 .318 .621 1.3 .7 .5 .0 4.7 Copeland, Lanard Lanard Copeland 10 0 4.8 .304 .000 1.000 .7 .5 .2 .0 1.6 Edwards, James James Edwards 72 11 20.0 .465 .000 .731 2.8 .7 .3 .5 9.7 Ellis, LeRon LeRon Ellis 29 0 3.6 .340 - — .474 .8 .0 .2 .3 1.5 Grant, Gary Gary Grant 78 53 26.3 .462 .294 .815 2.4 6.9 1.8 .2 7.8 Harper, Ron Ron Harper 82 82 38.3 .440 .303 .736 5.5 5.1 1.9 .9 18.2 Kimble, Bo Bo Kimble 34 0 8.1 .396 .308 .645 .9 .5 .3 .2 3.3 Manning, Danny Danny Manning 82 82 35.4 .542 .000 .725 6.9 3.5 1.6 1.5 19.3 Mayes, Tharon Tharon Mayes 3 0 13.3 .400 .500 .667 .3 1.0 .7 .3 3.0 Norman, Ken Ken Norman 77 24 26.1 .490 .143 .535 5.8 1.6 .7 .9 12.1 Perry, Elliot Elliot Perry 10 0 6.6 .400 .000 .500 .7 1.4 .9 .1 1.3 Polynice, Olden Olden Polynice 76 65 24.1 .519 .000 .622 7.1 .6 .6 .3 8.1 Rivers, David David Rivers 15 0 8.1 .333 .000 .909 1.3 1.4 .5 .1 2.0 Rivers, Doc Doc Rivers 59 25 28.1 .424 .283 .832 2.5 3.9 1.9 .3 10.9 Smith, Charles Charles Smith 49 25 26.7 .466 .000 .785 6.1 1.1 .8 2.0 14.6 Vaught, Loy Loy Vaught 79 38 21.4 .492 .800 .797 6.5 .9 .5 .4 7.6 Young, Danny Danny Young 44 5 20.2 .391 .333 .887 1.5 3.5 .9 .1 5.3 Playoffs PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG Edwards, James James Edwards 5 0 17.4 .417 - — .632 2.6 .6 .2 .2 6.4 Ellis, LeRon LeRon Ellis 1 0 2.0 - — - — - — .0 .0 .0 .0 .0 Grant, Gary Gary Grant 5 1 15.4 .476 .000 1.000 .8 3.6 .6 .4 4.4 Harper, Ron Ron Harper 5 5 41.2 .448 .111 .786 6.4 4.6 1.0 .8 18.0 Kimble, Bo Bo Kimble 3 0 1.7 .000 - — - — .0 .3 .0 .0 .0 Manning, Danny Danny Manning 5 5 38.8 .568 .333 .645 5.6 2.8 1.0 .8 22.6 Norman, Ken Ken Norman 5 5 36.8 .509 .000 .529 9.8 3.0 .8 .6 12.6 Polynice, Olden Olden Polynice 5 0 12.6 .583 - — .333 3.4 .6 .2 .2 3.2 Rivers, Doc Doc Rivers 5 4 37.4 .446 .500 .815 3.8 4.2 1.2 .0 15.2 Smith, Charles Charles Smith 5 5 29.6 .393 - — .933 5.6 1.8 .8 2.4 11.6 Vaught, Loy Loy Vaught 5 0 7.2 .636 1.000 1.000 2.4 .8 .2 .2 3.4 Young, Danny Danny Young 3 0 3.7 .500 .000 - — .0 .3 .0 .0 1.3 Player statistics citation: Transactions The Clippers were involved in the following transactions during the 1991–92 season. Trades June 26, 1991 To Los Angeles Clippers Doc Rivers To Atlanta Hawks 1991 first-round draft pick & 1993 and 1994 second-round draft picks June 26, 1991 To Los Angeles Clippers 1996 or 1997 second-round draft pick To Denver Nuggets Winston Garland September 22, 1991 To Los Angeles Clippers James Edwards To Detroit Pistons Jeff Martin & 1995 second-round draft pick Player Transactions Citation:1991–92 Los Angeles Clippers Transactions Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/LAC/1992_transactions.html October 14, 2021 References Category:Los Angeles Clippers seasons Los Angeles Clippers