The 2020–21 Los Angeles Clippers season was the 51st season of the franchise in the National Basketball Association (NBA), their 43rd season in Southern California, and their 37th season in Los Angeles.
| 2020–21 Los Angeles Clippers season | |
|---|---|
| Head coach | Tyronn Lue |
| General manager | Michael Winger |
| Owner(s) | Steve Ballmer |
| Arena | Staples Center |
| Results | |
| Record | 47–25 (.653) |
| Place | Division: 2nd (Pacific) Conference: 4th (Western) |
| Playoff finish | Western Conference finals (lost to Suns 2–4) |
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com | |
| Local media | |
| Television | KCOP-TV Bally Sports West[A] |
| Radio | KLAC |
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On September 28, 2020, the Clippers and head coach Doc Rivers mutually agreed to part ways after seven seasons with the team.[2] On October 20, 2020, the Clippers promoted Tyronn Lue as their new head coach.[3]
The Clippers made the deepest playoff run in their 51-year history. They advanced to the conference finals for the first time in franchise history after defeating the Utah Jazz in six games in the conference semifinals. Their run would come to an end against the Phoenix Suns (who were led by former Clippers star Chris Paul) in the conference finals, losing in six games.
The Clippers were the first and only team to come back from down 2–0 more than once in the same season,[4] denying the Dallas Mavericks and the Utah Jazz a chance at a 3–0 series lead, a deficit which no team in NBA history has ever come back from in a playoff series.
Draft
edit| Round | Pick | Player | Position | Nationality | College |
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| 2 | 57 | Reggie Perry | PF |  United States
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Mississippi State |
Roster
edit| Players | Coaches | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Roster |
Roster notes
edit- Guard Rajon Rondo is the 30th former Lakers player to play for the Clippers.
- Center DeMarcus Cousins signed with the Lakers last season but got injured before the start of season and never actually got to play wearing the Lakers uniform.
Standings
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Division
edit| Pacific Division | W | L | PCT | GB | Home | Road | Div | GP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| y – Phoenix Suns | 51 | 21 | .708 | – | 27–9 | 24–12 | 7–5 | 72 |
| x – Los Angeles Clippers | 47 | 25 | .653 | 4.0 | 26–10 | 21–15 | 9–3 | 72 |
| x – Los Angeles Lakers | 42 | 30 | .583 | 9.0 | 21–15 | 21–15 | 4–8 | 72 |
| pi – Golden State Warriors | 39 | 33 | .542 | 12.0 | 25–11 | 14–22 | 5–7 | 72 |
| Sacramento Kings | 31 | 41 | .431 | 20.0 | 16–20 | 15–21 | 5–7 | 72 |
Conference
edit| Western Conference | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| # | Team | W | L | PCT | GB | GP |
| 1 | z – Utah Jazz * | 52 | 20 | .722 | – | 72 |
| 2 | y – Phoenix Suns * | 51 | 21 | .708 | 1.0 | 72 |
| 3 | x – Denver Nuggets | 47 | 25 | .653 | 5.0 | 72 |
| 4 | x – Los Angeles Clippers | 47 | 25 | .653 | 5.0 | 72 |
| 5 | y – Dallas Mavericks * | 42 | 30 | .583 | 10.0 | 72 |
| 6 | x – Portland Trail Blazers | 42 | 30 | .583 | 10.0 | 72 |
| 7 | x – Los Angeles Lakers | 42 | 30 | .583 | 10.0 | 72 |
| 8 | pi – Golden State Warriors | 39 | 33 | .542 | 13.0 | 72 |
| 9 | x – Memphis Grizzlies | 38 | 34 | .528 | 14.0 | 72 |
| 10 | pi – San Antonio Spurs | 33 | 39 | .458 | 19.0 | 72 |
| 11 | New Orleans Pelicans | 31 | 41 | .431 | 21.0 | 72 |
| 12 | Sacramento Kings | 31 | 41 | .431 | 21.0 | 72 |
| 13 | Minnesota Timberwolves | 23 | 49 | .319 | 29.0 | 72 |
| 14 | Oklahoma City Thunder | 22 | 50 | .306 | 30.0 | 72 |
| 15 | Houston Rockets | 17 | 55 | .236 | 35.0 | 72 |
Notes
- z – Clinched home court advantage for the entire playoffs
- c – Clinched home court advantage for the conference playoffs
- y – Clinched division title
- x – Clinched playoff spot
- pb – Clinched play-in spot
- o – Eliminated from playoff contention
- * – Division leader
Game log
editPreseason
edit| 2020 preseason game log Total: 0–3 (home: 0–1; road: 0–2) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Preseason: 0–3 (home: 0–1; road: 0–2)
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| 2020–21 season schedule | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Regular season
editPlayoffs
edit| 2021 playoff game log Total: 10–9 (home: 5–5; road: 5–4) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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First Round: 4–3 (home: 1–3; road: 3–0)
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Conference semifinals: 4–2 (home: 3–0; road: 1–2)
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Conference finals: 2–4 (home: 1–2; road: 1–2)
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| 2021 playoff schedule | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Player statistics
edit| GP | Games played | GS | Games started | MPG | Minutes per game |
| FG% | Field-goal percentage | 3P% | 3-point field-goal percentage | FT% | Free-throw percentage |
| RPG | Rebounds per game | APG | Assists per game | SPG | Steals per game |
| BPG | Blocks per game | PPG | Points per game |
Regular season
edit| Player | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ivica Zubac | 72 | 33 | 22.3 | .652 | .250 | .789 | 7.2 | 1.3 | .3 | .9 | 9.0 |
| Reggie Jackson | 67 | 43 | 23.0 | .450 | .433 | .817 | 2.9 | 3.1 | .6 | .1 | 10.7 |
| Nicolas Batum | 67 | 38 | 27.4 | .464 | .404 | .828 | 4.7 | 2.2 | 1.0 | .6 | 8.1 |
| Terance Mann | 67 | 10 | 18.9 | .509 | .418 | .830 | 3.6 | 1.6 | .4 | .2 | 7.0 |
| Luke Kennard | 63 | 17 | 19.6 | .476 | .446 | .839 | 2.6 | 1.7 | .4 | .1 | 8.3 |
| Marcus Morris Sr. | 57 | 29 | 26.4 | .473 | .473 | .820 | 4.1 | 1.0 | .6 | .3 | 13.4 |
| Paul George | 54 | 54 | 33.7 | .467 | .411 | .868 | 6.6 | 5.2 | 1.1 | .4 | 23.3 |
| Kawhi Leonard | 52 | 52 | 34.1 | .512 | .398 | .885 | 6.5 | 5.2 | 1.6 | .4 | 24.8 |
| Amir Coffey | 44 | 1 | 9.0 | .437 | .411 | .711 | 1.0 | .5 | .2 | .0 | 3.2 |
| Lou Williams† | 42 | 3 | 21.9 | .421 | .378 | .866 | 2.1 | 3.4 | .9 | .1 | 12.1 |
| Serge Ibaka | 41 | 39 | 23.3 | .510 | .339 | .811 | 6.7 | 1.8 | .2 | 1.1 | 11.1 |
| Patrick Patterson | 38 | 5 | 15.3 | .436 | .357 | .765 | 2.0 | .8 | .4 | .2 | 5.2 |
| Patrick Beverley | 37 | 34 | 22.5 | .423 | .397 | .800 | 3.2 | 2.1 | .8 | .8 | 7.5 |
| Daniel Oturu | 30 | 0 | 5.4 | .423 | .200 | .750 | 1.6 | .3 | .1 | .2 | 1.8 |
| Mfiondu Kabengele† | 23 | 0 | 4.1 | .281 | .222 | .833 | .6 | .2 | .1 | .1 | 1.2 |
| Rajon Rondo† | 18 | 1 | 20.4 | .486 | .432 | 1.000 | 3.1 | 5.8 | 1.0 | .1 | 7.6 |
| DeMarcus Cousins† | 16 | 0 | 12.9 | .537 | .421 | .682 | 4.5 | 1.0 | .8 | .4 | 7.8 |
| Yogi Ferrell† | 8 | 0 | 12.0 | .333 | .316 | 1.000 | 1.5 | 2.1 | .5 | .3 | 4.6 |
| Jay Scrubb | 4 | 1 | 21.0 | .389 | .222 | 1.000 | 3.5 | .3 | 1.0 | .0 | 8.8 |
| Malik Fitts | 3 | 0 | 3.7 | .333 | .500 | 1.0 | .0 | .0 | .0 | 1.0 |
Playoffs
edit| Player | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paul George | 19 | 19 | 40.8 | .441 | .336 | .844 | 9.6 | 5.4 | 1.0 | .5 | 26.9 |
| Marcus Morris Sr. | 19 | 18 | 31.8 | .430 | .375 | .750 | 4.3 | 1.5 | .5 | .5 | 12.2 |
| Reggie Jackson | 19 | 17 | 32.7 | .484 | .408 | .878 | 3.2 | 3.4 | .9 | .2 | 17.8 |
| Nicolas Batum | 19 | 10 | 29.2 | .486 | .389 | .826 | 5.5 | 2.1 | 1.3 | .5 | 8.1 |
| Terance Mann | 19 | 6 | 19.9 | .519 | .432 | .714 | 2.7 | .7 | .5 | .3 | 7.6 |
| Patrick Beverley | 17 | 7 | 19.0 | .426 | .351 | .857 | 2.4 | 1.4 | .7 | .7 | 4.9 |
| Ivica Zubac | 17 | 7 | 17.7 | .596 | .796 | 5.8 | .4 | .1 | .7 | 6.3 | |
| Luke Kennard | 15 | 0 | 14.6 | .477 | .412 | .500 | .9 | .5 | .1 | .0 | 5.6 |
| Rajon Rondo | 13 | 0 | 16.9 | .340 | .393 | .667 | 2.6 | 3.8 | .4 | .2 | 4.2 |
| Kawhi Leonard | 11 | 11 | 39.3 | .573 | .393 | .880 | 7.7 | 4.4 | 2.1 | .8 | 30.4 |
| Amir Coffey | 10 | 0 | 1.6 | .750 | 1.000 | .000 | .2 | .1 | .1 | .0 | .7 |
| Yogi Ferrell | 9 | 0 | 1.7 | .400 | .000 | .3 | .3 | .0 | .0 | .4 | |
| Daniel Oturu | 8 | 0 | 1.9 | .400 | .000 | .500 | .5 | .0 | .0 | .1 | .6 |
| DeMarcus Cousins | 7 | 0 | 8.3 | .452 | .400 | .786 | 2.0 | .7 | .3 | .4 | 7.6 |
| Jay Scrubb | 6 | 0 | 1.3 | .2 | .0 | .0 | .0 | .0 | |||
| Serge Ibaka | 2 | 0 | 9.0 | .500 | .000 | 1.000 | 2.0 | 1.0 | .5 | 1.5 | 5.0 |
- † Denotes player spent time with another team in the season. Stats reflect time with the Clippers only.
Transactions
editTrades
edit| November 19, 2020[7] | To Los Angeles Clippers Luke Kennard (from Detroit) Justin Patton (from Detroit) Draft rights to Jay Scrubb (#55) (from Brooklyn) 2023 POR second-round pick (from Detroit) 2024 DET second-round pick (from Detroit) 2025 DET second-round pick (from Detroit) 2026 DET second-round pick (from Detroit) |
To Detroit Pistons Džanan Musa (from Brooklyn) Rodney McGruder (from LA Clippers) Draft rights to Saddiq Bey (#19) (from Brooklyn) Draft rights to Jaylen Hands (2019 #57) (from Brooklyn) 2021 TOR second-round pick (from Brooklyn) Cash considerations (from LA Clippers) |
| To Brooklyn Nets Landry Shamet (from LA Clippers) Bruce Brown (from Detroit) | ||
| November 19, 2020[8] | To Los Angeles Clippers Draft rights to Daniel Oturu (#33) |
To Oklahoma City Thunder Draft rights to Mathias Lessort (2017 #50) 2023 DET second-round pick |
| March 19, 2021 | To Los Angeles Clippers 2022 SAC second-round draft pick |
To Sacramento Kings Mfiondu Kabengele 2022 ATL second-round draft pick Cash considerations |
| March 25, 2021 | To Los Angeles Clippers Rajon Rondo |
To Atlanta Hawks Lou Williams 2023 POR second-round draft pick 2027 LAC second-round draft pick Cash considerations |
Free agency
editRe-signed
edit| Player | Signed |
|---|---|
| Marcus Morris[9] | November 25, 2020 |
| Patrick Patterson[10] | November 25, 2020 |
| Reggie Jackson | December 1, 2020 |
Additions
edit| Player | Signed | Former team |
|---|---|---|
| Serge Ibaka | November 25, 2020 | Toronto Raptors |
| Ky Bowman | November 26, 2020 | Golden State Warriors |
| Nicolas Batum | December 1, 2020 | Charlotte Hornets |
| DeMarcus Cousins | April 5, 2021 (10-day contract) April 15, 2021 (2nd 10-day contract) April 25, 2021 (signed for the rest of the season) |
Houston Rockets |
| Malik Fitts | April 9, 2021 (10-day contract) |
Agua Caliente Clippers |
| Yogi Ferrell | April 19, 2021 (10-day contract) April 29, 2021 (signed for the rest of the season) |
Salt Lake City Stars |
Subtractions
edit| Player | Reason left | New team |
|---|---|---|
| JaMychal Green[11] | Free agency | Denver Nuggets |
| Montrezl Harrell[12] | Free agency | Los Angeles Lakers |
| Justin Patton | Waived | Milwaukee Bucks |
| Johnathan Motley[13] | Free agency | Phoenix Suns |
| Joakim Noah | Waived | Retired |
| Ky Bowman | Waived | Agua Caliente Clippers |
| Malik Fitts | Contract Expired | Utah Jazz |
Notes
edit- ^ Formerly Fox Sports West until March 31, 2021.
References
edit- ^ Esnaashari, Farbod. "Report: Expectation That Kawhi Leonard Could Miss 2021-2022 Season". Sports Illustrated LA Clippers News, Analysis and More. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
- ^ Reynolds, Tim (September 28, 2020). "Doc Rivers out as LA Clippers coach after 7 seasons". NBA.com. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
- ^ "Clippers Name Tyronn Lue Head Coach". NBA.com. October 20, 2020. Retrieved October 20, 2020.
- ^ Esnaashari, Farbod (June 19, 2021). "Clippers Players Say Fans 'Deserve it' After Reaching First Conference finals Ever". si.com. Retrieved July 1, 2021.
- ^ Kram, Zach (June 30, 2021). "Is Reggie Jackson's Postseason Heater Unprecedented?". The Ringer. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
- ^ "Lue calls 'fiery' Rondo just what Clippers need". ESPN.com. March 25, 2021. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
- ^ "LA Clippers Acquire Kennard, Patton, Scrubb and Four Second-Round Picks In Three-Team Deal". NBA.com. November 19, 2020. Retrieved November 19, 2020.
- ^ "LA Clippers Acquire Draft Rights to Daniel Oturu". NBA.com. November 19, 2020. Retrieved November 19, 2020.
- ^ "LA Clippers Re-Sign Forward Marcus Morris Sr". NBA.com. November 25, 2020. Retrieved November 25, 2020.
- ^ "LA Clippers Re-Sign Forward Patrick Patterson". NBA.com. November 25, 2020. Retrieved November 25, 2020.
- ^ "Denver Nuggets sign forward JaMychal Green". NBA.com. November 30, 2020. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
- ^ "Lakers Sign Montrezl Harrell". NBA.com. November 22, 2020. Retrieved November 22, 2020.
- ^ "SUNS SIGN MOORE, GALLOWAY & JONES". NBA.com. November 30, 2020. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
