Key dates in recent Clippers history

Key moments in Clippers franchise history since the 2009-10 season, when the team finished 29-53, fired coach Mike Dunleavy midseason and failed to make the playoffs. The Lakers, meanwhile, won their 16th championship.

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October 2009

No. 1 draft pick Blake Griffin breaks his kneecap during an exhibition game, an injury that would sideline him the entire season. Clippers miss playoffs for the fourth straight year.

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February 2011

Griffin becomes a viral sensation with spectacular dunks in his rookie season. He makes the All-Star team and wins the dunk contest by jumping over a car.

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December 2011

Chris Paul, New Orleans’ All-Star point guard, is traded to the Clippers only six days after the NBA kills the Lakers’ trade for Paul. The Lakers appeared to have acquired their most dynamic point guard since Magic Johnson, but NBA commissioner David Stern didn’t think the trade was good for the Hornets, who were purchased by the NBA a year earlier. Paul’s arrival instantly turns the Clippers into a playoff team.

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June 2013

Former Boston coach Doc Rivers becomes Clippers’ coach, replacing Vinny Del Negro. Rivers later becomes head of basketball operations.

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April 2014

Team owner Donald Sterling comes under fire for making derogatory remarks about African Americans. The NBA punishes Sterling with a lifetime ban and $2.5-million fine.

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May 2014

The Clippers endure the Sterling scandal and beat the Golden State Warriors in Game 7 of a first-round playoff series. In the next round they squander a late lead against Oklahoma City and lose Game 5, then are eliminated in Game 6.

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August 2014

Former Microsoft executive Steve Ballmer pays a record $2 billion to buy the Clippers.

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May 2015

The Clippers eliminate the defending NBA champion San Antonio Spurs in an epic seven-game first-round playoff series, but then blow a 3-1 series lead in the next round against Houston and lose in seven games. It is the Clippers’ fourth consecutive playoff appearance, a franchise record.

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February 2016

The Clippers suspend Griffin four games for his role in an altercation with a team assistant equipment manager in Toronto in January. Griffin breaks his right hand in the fight and is expected to be sidelined until March. Despite Griffin’s absence, the team continues to play well with Paul taking control of the offense.