- Oct 16, 2026
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SportsMafia Wire graphic. Photo: Adam Bishop via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. Team logos via ESPN.
The Los Angeles Clippers opened their season Wednesday with a 121-96 victory over the Sacramento Kings, their first opener without Kawhi Leonard since 2019.
Darius Garland led the Clippers with 30 points as the team never trailed. Brook Lopez contributed 17 points and 11 rebounds off the bench, while rookie guard Keaton Wagler added 15 points, five rebounds and five assists. Rui Hachimura chipped in 10 points and eight rebounds in his debut following a trade from the Lakers. The Clippers reserves outscored the Kings bench 53-34.
The Clippers fielded the largest decrease in average age in the NBA from last season's opener, according to Elias Sports Bureau. The roster overhaul followed the offseason departure of Leonard, who was sent to the Toronto Raptors last month after the league found the Clippers guilty of salary cap-circumvention violations. Owner Steve Ballmer received a one-year suspension for "knowingly seeking to help Mr. Leonard obtain off-court income opportunities." The franchise was fined $30 million and stripped of five consecutive draft picks from 2029 through 2033. James Harden and Chris Paul were traded last season.
Zach LaVine paced Sacramento with 28 points. Domantas Sabonis recorded 14 points and 18 rebounds.
The Clippers were without Bradley Beal, Brandon Ingram, Max Strus, Jordan Miller and Yanic Konan Niederhauser due to injuries.
Source: ESPN - Thu Oct 22, 1:12 AM ET
Written by the SportsMafia Wire desk in our own words from the original reporting (AI-assisted, checked against the source).