1996–97 Los Angeles Clippers season

NBA professional basketball team season August 2023 March 2026 Los Angeles Clippers National Basketball Association 1997 36 46 Pacific 5 8 Bill Fitch Los Angeles Memorial Sports ArenaArrowhead Pond Donald Sterling KCAL-TV(Ralph Lawler, Bill Walton) KNNS(Rory Markas) West First Round(lost to Jazz 0–3) LAC The 1996–97 Los Angeles Clippers season was the 27th season for the Los Angeles Clippers in the National Basketball Association, their 13th season in Los Angeles, California, and their third season in which they played occasional home games in Anaheim, California. Los Angeles Clippers Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/LAC/ August 7, 2026 Season summary Off-season The Clippers received the seventh overall pick in the 1996 NBA draft, and selected center Lorenzen Wright from the University of Memphis. Brown Clifton Pro Basketball: Big Trade and Some Twists in N.B.A. Youth Parade The New York Times June 27, 1996 https://www.nytimes.com/1996/06/27/sports/pro-basketball-big-trade-and-some-twists-in-nba-youth-parade.html July 12, 2022 Heisler Mark The Surprises Are Few Los Angeles Times June 27, 1996 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-06-27-sp-22580-story.html December 1, 2022 1996 NBA Draft Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1996.html December 1, 2022 During the off-season, the team signed free agents Darrick Martin, Baker Chris Clippers Sign Former Bruin Los Angeles Times September 20, 1996 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-09-20-sp-45746-story.html July 17, 2022 Baker Chris He's Tiny, But His Presence Is Huge Los Angeles Times February 11, 1997 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-02-11-sp-27485-story.html November 8, 2022 and former All-Star center Kevin Duckworth. Baker Chris They Cut to the Fat, Sign Duckworth Los Angeles Times October 11, 1996 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-10-11-sp-52869-story.html July 17, 2022 Baker Chris Long Season? Try an Eternity Los Angeles Times November 1, 1996 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-11-01-sp-60221-story.html December 27, 2022 Regular season With the addition of Wright and Martin, and despite the loss of Brian Williams to free agency, the Clippers got off to a 6–4 start to the regular season. However, the team posted a six-game losing streak in November afterwards, while losing ten of their next eleven games, which led to a 7–14 start to the season. The team continued to deal with injuries, as Duckworth only played just 26 games due to a sore heel injury, while Stanley Roberts only played just 18 games due to a back injury, Baker Chris Roberts Missing on Next Trip Los Angeles Times December 4, 1996 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-12-04-sp-5706-story.html April 4, 2023 Baker Chris Fitch Extends Holiday Break Los Angeles Times December 24, 1996 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-12-24-sp-12157-story.html April 4, 2023 Heisler Mark Wright Script, Wrong Result for Clippers Los Angeles Times December 28, 1996 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-12-28-sp-13184-story.html October 13, 2021 and second-year guard Brent Barry only appeared in 59 games due to thumb and ankle injuries. Baker Chris Barry's Injured Thumb Put in a Cast Los Angeles Times October 18, 1996 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-10-18-sp-55139-story.html November 9, 2022 Baker Chris Thumb Injury Sidelines Barry Los Angeles Times October 22, 1996 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-10-22-sp-56416-story.html November 9, 2022 Baker Chris Barry Suffering Another Setback Los Angeles Times January 28, 1997 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-01-28-sp-22980-story.html May 1, 2023 Despite the injuries, the Clippers held a 19–25 record at the All-Star break, NBA Games Played on February 6, 1997 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/?month=2&day=6&year=1997 January 2, 2023 and finished in fifth place in the Pacific Division with a 36–46 record, which was below .500 in winning percentage, but still good enough to earn the eighth seed in the Western Conference, as the team qualified for the NBA playoffs; 1996–97 Los Angeles Clippers Schedule and Results Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/LAC/1997_games.html June 21, 2021 this was the Clippers' third playoff appearance since relocating from San Diego, California to Los Angeles in 1984, and their first since the 1992–93 season. Loy Vaught averaged 14.9 points and 10.0 rebounds per game, while Malik Sealy averaged 13.5 points and 1.6 steals per game, and Rodney Rogers provided the team with 13.2 points and 5.1 rebounds per game. In addition, Martin contributed 10.9 points and 4.1 assists per game, while Wright provided with 7.3 points and 6.1 rebounds per game. Off the bench, Roberts averaged 9.5 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game, while Bo Outlaw provided with 7.6 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game, and also led the league with .609 in field-goal percentage, Barry contributed 7.5 points per game, and Lamond Murray contributed 7.4 points per game. Terry Dehere averaged 6.4 points per game, while three-point specialist Eric Piatkowski contributed 6.0 points per game, and Pooh Richardson provided with 5.6 points and 2.9 assists per game. 1996–97 Los Angeles Clippers Roster and Stats Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/LAC/1997.html June 21, 2021 During the NBA All-Star weekend at the Gund Arena in Cleveland, Ohio, Wright was selected for the NBA Rookie Game, as a member of the Western Conference Rookie team. Fry Darrell On to the Next Stage Tampa Bay Times February 8, 1997 https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1997/02/08/on-to-the-next-stage/ September 19, 2025 1997 NBA Rising Stars: East 96, West 91 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/allstar/NBA_1997_rookie.html September 19, 2025 Outlaw finished tied in seventh place in Sixth Man of the Year voting, while head coach Bill Fitch finished tied in sixth place in Coach of the Year voting. 1996–97 NBA Awards Voting Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/awards_1997.html January 5, 2025 The Clippers finished last in the NBA in home-game attendance, with an attendance of 232,895 at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena during the regular season, which was 29th in the league. 1996–97 NBA Season Summary Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1997.html January 22, 2026 NBA playoffs In the Western Conference First Round of the 1997 NBA playoffs, the Clippers faced off against the top–seeded, and Midwest Division champion Utah Jazz, who were led by the trio of All-Star forward, and Most Valuable Player of the Year, Karl Malone, All-Star guard John Stockton, and Jeff Hornacek. The Clippers lost the first two games to the Jazz on the road at the Delta Center, before losing Game 3 at home, 104–92 at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena, thus losing the series in a three-game sweep. Associated Press Jazz Gets a Sweep of Its Own The New York Times April 29, 1997 https://www.nytimes.com/1997/04/29/sports/jazz-gets-a-sweep-of-its-own.html May 13, 2022 Plaschke Bill It's Over, But at Least There Is Hope Now Los Angeles Times April 29, 1997 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-04-29-sp-53548-story.html May 30, 2022 1997 NBA Western Conference First Round: Clippers vs. Jazz Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1997-nba-western-conference-first-round-clippers-vs-jazz.html February 4, 2023 The Jazz would advance to the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history, but would lose to the defending NBA champion Chicago Bulls in six games in the 1997 NBA Finals. Wise Mike A Fistful of Rings: Bulls Grab Fifth Title of 90's The New York Times June 14, 1997 https://www.nytimes.com/1997/06/14/sports/a-fistful-of-rings-bulls-grab-fifth-title-of-90-s.html June 4, 2022 Howard-Cooper Scott June 14, 1997 Bulls Get Fifth Element Los Angeles Times https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-06-14-sp-3291-story.html July 25, 2022 1997 NBA Finals: Jazz vs. Bulls Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1997-nba-finals-jazz-vs-bulls.html February 4, 2023 This would also be the Clippers' final NBA playoff appearance until the 2005–06 season, as what would follow was an eight-year playoff drought. Aftermath Following the season, Sealy signed as a free agent with the Detroit Pistons, Associated Press Pistons Sign Sealy The New York Times August 26, 1997 https://www.nytimes.com/1997/08/26/sports/pistons-sign-sealy.html January 15, 2022 Staff and Wire Reports Robinson Takes Pay Cut to Sign with Suns Los Angeles Times August 26, 1997 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-aug-26-sp-25918-story.html October 3, 2022 Thompson Jack Suns Sign Clifford Robinson Chicago Tribune August 26, 1997 https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1997-08-26-9708260145-story.html January 28, 2023 while Roberts was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves on draft day, Gardner Kris Archive: Houston Roundball Review NBA Trade Analyses: 1997 NBA Draft Day Deals The Houston Roundball Review June 25, 1997 https://www.thehrr.com/nba/trade_archive/062597draftdaydeals.html September 25, 2023 Howard-Cooper Scott Draft Over, But Not Finished Los Angeles Times June 26, 1997 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-06-26-sp-7001-story.html January 15, 2022 Howard-Cooper Scott Goodbye, Stanley, We Barely Knew You Los Angeles Times June 27, 1997 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-06-27-sp-7555-story.html November 18, 2022 Outlaw signed with the Orlando Magic, Baker Chris Just Like Magic, Versatile Outlaw Leaves Clippers Los Angeles Times September 6, 1997 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-sep-06-sp-29526-story.html October 22, 2022 Magic Corrals Outlaw Tampa Bay Times September 6, 1997 https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1997/09/06/magic-corrals-outlaw/ June 3, 2022 Outlaw Breaks Free to Spark Magic Orlando Sentinel November 9, 1997 https://www.orlandosentinel.com/1997/11/09/outlaw-breaks-free-to-spark-magic/ September 25, 2023 Dehere signed with the Sacramento Kings, Barkley Is Cleared in Cleveland Brawl The Washington Post August 2, 1997 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1997/08/02/barkley-is-cleared-in-cleveland-brawl/fc6d6739-aece-4f2f-9eb7-febeb17d4f6e/ August 3, 2023 Popper Steve Two Guys from Jersey on Same Road Again The New York Times August 10, 1997 https://www.nytimes.com/1997/08/10/sports/two-guys-from-jersey-on-same-road-again.html October 5, 2022 and Duckworth retired. Draft picks 1996 NBA draft Round Pick Player Position Nationality College 1 7 Lorenzen Wright C/PF United States Memphis 2 36 Doron Sheffer F UConn Roster Los Angeles Clippers 1996–97 #E30022 #FFFFFF #1A2E8B #FFFFFF 31 Brent Barry G 6 7 210 1971–12–31 Oregon State 24 Terry Dehere G 6 2 190 1971–09–12 Seton Hall 00 Kevin Duckworth C 7 0 300 1964–04–01 Eastern Illinois 50 Rich Manning C 6 11 260 1970–06–23 Washington 15 Darrick Martin G 5 11 170 1971–03–06 UCLA 7 Lamond Murray F 6 7 236 1973–04–20 California 45 Bo Outlaw F 6 8 210 1971–04–13 Houston 52 Eric Piatkowski G/F 6 7 215 1970–09–30 Nebraska 2 Pooh Richardson G 6 1 180 1966–05–14 UCLA 53 Stanley Roberts C 7 0 285 1970–02–07 LSU 54 Rodney Rogers F 6 7 260 1971–06–20 Wake Forest 33 Dwayne Schintzius C 7 1 260 1968–10–14 Florida 21 Malik Sealy G 6 8 190 1970–02–01 St. John's 35 Loy Vaught F 6 9 230 1968–02–27 Michigan 55 Lorenzen Wright C 6 11 240 1975–11–04 Memphis Bill Fitch Jim Brewer Barry Hecker Rex Kalamian http://www.nba.com/clippers/roster/ 2009-10-04 Roster Notes A number of players from the 1996–97 roster have either died prematurely and/or ended up in unfortunate circumstances; these players are: Center Stanley Roberts (banned from the NBA for drug use in 1999). Guard Malik Sealy (died in an automobile accident in 2000 at age 30). Center Kevin Duckworth (died of heart failure in 2008 at age 44). Forward Rodney Rogers (became paralyzed after a dirt bike accident in 2008 at age 37; died in 2025 at age 54). Center Lorenzen Wright (murdered by his ex-wife in 2010 at age 34). Center Dwayne Schintzius (died from cancer complications in 2012 at age 43). 1996–97 Los Angeles Clippers Tragic Team MaceoBarry90 February 2014 http://maceobarry90.blogspot.com/2014/02/1996-97-los-angeles-clippers-tragic-team.html June 24, 2021December 2024 Brent Barry, had a long and productive career in the NBA, winning two titles (2005 and 2007) with the San Antonio Spurs, as well as being a consistent starter for the Seattle SuperSonics in the 2000s, but was divorced from his wife Erin in 2011, allegedly due to an extra-marital affair with his Spurs teammate Tony Parker. Regular season Season standings LAC LAC z – clinched division title y – clinched division title x – clinched playoff spot Game log Playoffs Los Angeles Clippers 1997 yes #F9160D #1A2E8B Los Angeles Clippers First round yes yes no #1A2E8B #F9160D 0 1 0 2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 1 | April 24 | @ Utah | L 86–106 | Loy Vaught (20) | Loy Vaught (11) | three players tied (3) | Delta Center19,911 | 0–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 2 | April 26 | @ Utah | L 99–105 | Lorenzen Wright (17) | Loy Vaught (9) | Darrick Martin (6) | Delta Center19,911 | 0–2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 3 | April 28 | Utah | L 92–104 | Loy Vaught (20) | Vaught, Wright (9) | Darrick Martin (5) | Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena11,747 | 0–3 |- LAC 1997 yes Player statistics Season PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG Barry, Brent Brent Barry 59 0 18.5 .409 .324 .817 1.9 2.6 .9 .3 7.5 Dehere, Terry Terry Dehere 73 3 14.4 .386 .325 .824 1.3 2.2 .4 .0 6.4 Duckworth, Kevin Kevin Duckworth 26 22 14.8 .437 .750 .688 2.3 .6 .3 .4 4.0 Manning, Rich Rich Manning 10 1 7.3 .412 .000 .500 1.6 .1 .1 .1 3.1 Martin, Darrick Darrick Martin 82 64 22.2 .407 .389 .872 1.4 4.1 .7 .0 10.9 Murray, Lamond Lamond Murray 74 1 17.5 .416 .341 .739 3.1 .8 .7 .4 7.4 Outlaw, Bo Bo Outlaw 82 25 26.8 .609 .000 .504 5.5 1.9 1.1 1.7 7.6 Piatkowski, Eric Eric Piatkowski 65 0 11.5 .450 .425 .821 1.6 .8 .5 .2 6.0 Richardson, Pooh Pooh Richardson 59 18 18.1 .381 .328 .605 1.7 2.9 .9 .1 5.6 Roberts, Stanley Stanley Roberts 18 2 21.0 .426 . .703 5.1 .5 .4 1.3 9.5 Rogers, Rodney Rodney Rogers 81 62 30.6 .462 .361 .663 5.1 2.7 1.1 .8 13.2 Schintzius, Dwayne Dwayne Schintzius 15 0 7.7 .361 .500 .875 1.5 .3 .1 .6 2.3 Sealy, Malik Malik Sealy 80 79 30.7 .396 .356 .876 3.0 2.1 1.6 .6 13.5 Vaught, Loy Loy Vaught 82 82 34.6 .500 .167 .702 10.0 1.3 1.0 .3 14.9 Wright, Lorenzen Lorenzen Wright 77 51 25.1 .481 .250 .587 6.1 .6 .6 .8 7.3 Playoffs PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG Barry, Brent Brent Barry 3 0 28.0 .407 .455 .889 2.3 3.3 1.3 .0 11.7 Dehere, Terry Terry Dehere 2 0 2.5 .000 .000 . .5 .0 .0 .0 .0 Manning, Rich Rich Manning 3 0 7.0 .222 . .833 1.3 .3 .0 .3 3.0 Martin, Darrick Darrick Martin 3 3 25.7 .440 .556 .667 .7 4.3 .0 .0 11.0 Murray, Lamond Lamond Murray 3 0 21.7 .300 .250 1.000 3.7 1.0 .7 1.0 7.0 Outlaw, Bo Bo Outlaw 3 0 22.0 .545 .000 .300 4.7 1.3 .3 .7 5.0 Piatkowski, Eric Eric Piatkowski 3 0 12.7 .364 .400 .857 .7 .0 .3 .0 5.3 Richardson, Pooh Pooh Richardson 2 0 9.0 .500 .000 .000 .0 1.5 .5 .0 2.0 Rogers, Rodney Rodney Rogers 3 3 28.3 .414 .200 .750 2.3 2.0 1.3 1.0 10.7 Sealy, Malik Malik Sealy 3 3 26.3 .480 .200 .733 1.0 1.7 .0 .0 12.0 Vaught, Loy Loy Vaught 3 3 30.0 .613 .333 .667 9.0 .7 1.0 .7 15.0 Wright, Lorenzen Lorenzen Wright 3 3 30.7 .406 . 1.000 7.3 .7 1.0 .7 10.3 Player statistics citation: Transactions The Clippers have been involved in the following transactions during the 1996–97 season. Trades No trades occurred for this team this season. Free agents 52% Additions Player Signed Former team Darrick Martin July 11 Vancouver Grizzlies Dwayne Schintzius September 19 Indiana Pacers Kevin Duckworth October 10 Milwaukee Bucks Rich Manning April 1 Vancouver Grizzlies Subtractions Player Left New team Keith Tower waived, July 11 Milwaukee Bucks Antonio Harvey free agency, November 15 Seattle SuperSonics Brian Williams free agency, April 2 Chicago Bulls Player transactions citation: 1996–97 Los Angeles Clippers Transactions Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/LAC/1997_transactions.html July 3, 2021 See also 1996–97 NBA season References Category:Los Angeles Clippers seasons Los Angeles Clippers Category:1996 in Los Angeles Category:1997 in Los Angeles Category:1996 in sports in California Category:1997 in sports in California