Karen Song

LOS ANGELES  – The LA Clippers will play their final preseason game leading up to the 2021-22 regular season against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Toyota Arena – Home of the Agua Caliente Clippers - in Ontario, CA on Monday, Oct. 11 at 7:30 p.m. PT.

Clipper Nation MVP members will have access to an exclusive presale on tomorrow, Tuesday, Sept. 21 at 10:00 a.m., with tickets on sale to the general public at 12:00 p.m. To sign up for the exclusive presale, please visit www.clippers.com/preseasonpresale. Tickets start at $5.

The game will be televised on Bally Sports SoCal as well as streamed live via the Bally Sports app and BallySports.com.

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LA Clippers to Play Preseason Game in Ontario, CA on October 11

The NFL wouldn’t be the first place I’d look to find an out gay athlete on an active roster, but Carl Nassib proved me wrong by sharing an important part of himself with the world this week. I’m so happy that he has the space and support to come out, and as a gay woman, I share Carl’s view that representation and visibility are important. Cultivating a culture that’s accepting and compassionate – his words, not mine – is what matters most.

I’ve had hard moments, but I’ve also had many wonderful ones, even if only in hindsight. For example, a previous manager at a company I no longer work for dismissed my wedding and upcoming marriage because it wasn’t legal at the time. But, in a bit of poetic justice, my wedding invitations ended up being delivered on the same day the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Obergefell v. Hodges, expanding marriage rights and responsibilities to all Americans.

A few years ago, I travelled with some Clippers colleagues to New York for the NBA’s Women’s Leadership Conference. On our first day in town we drove past the Stonewall Inn, the gay bar that was raided in 1969, leading to riots and eventually the birth of the Pride movement. I made a comment in the car about Stonewall but didn’t think much of it after that. The very next day, a coworker mentioned that she had looked it up, inspired to learn more, and suggested we visit it that evening. So we went. Yes, going to Stonewall was incredible, but I couldn’t have imagined how I would feel:  surrounded by people I greatly respect – all straight women - who were present with me, acknowledging the history of Stonewall and how far we have come in the fight for equal rights. That was allyship, and it was powerful.

It’s experiences like those that have taught me the value of having Allies – people that create spaces where everyone can show up entirely and be wholly included. Even as an out, confident woman, I’m aware I may be judged, excluded, or more, because I’m gay. But I show up, because, like Carl Nassib, I know that by just being visible I may inspire someone else to do the same.

In celebration of Pride, I challenge you to evaluate how you show up as an Ally. How would someone know you’re an Ally if you don’t tell them? Do your words and your actions align? Do you amplify voices and advocate for others, even when it’s uncomfortable? What steps have you taken to educate yourself about people and experiences that differ from yours? Last week, the NBA hosted an Ally training led by Athlete Ally. While this session was specifically focused on Allyship for the LGBTQ+ community, its lessons can be applied to all underrepresented and marginalized groups. I encourage you to watch the hour-long session here. (Password: NBAPRIDE21!)

I feel fortunate to be a part of the Clippers organization for many reasons, and during this Pride month I am especially thankful for the Allyship I have experienced. Special rainbows to my amazing HR team of Ray, Natalie and Cristina, to my LACED UP Co-Chairs Marcus Banks, Michael Boisvert and Krystle Hogan, and to Tricia Teschke and Amy Millstone. On the following pages, I am excited for you to hear from two other colleagues about their connection to the LGBTQ+ community and how and why they practice Allyship.

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Employee Spotlight | Celebrating Pride with Michelle Zylstra

LA Clippers Chairman Steve Ballmer, President of Business Operations Gillian Zucker and Consultant and NBA Hall of Famer Jerry West were recently named to the LA Business Journal’s LA 500, a list of the 500 most influential people in Los Angeles. The trio was recognized for their work leading the Clippers and developing the Inglewood Basketball and Entertainment Center, which is expected to break ground this summer and be the team’s home starting with the 2024 NBA season.

Ballmer has been included on the LA 500 for the past six years, West for four and Zucker for two. Other notable Angelenos on the list include L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti, Inglewood Mayor James Butts, Honey Co-Founders Ryan Hudson and George Ruan and Harpo Productions’ Oprah Winfrey.

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Ballmer, Zucker and West Named Among Most Influential Angelenos By LA Business Journal

The LA Clippers announced that the team has signed forward Malik Fitts to a 10-day contract.

Fitts, 23, appeared in 14 games for the Agua Caliente Clippers this season, averaging 11.1 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.4 assists. A training camp invitee this season, Fitts appeared in two preseason games for the Clippers.

Fitts played two collegiate seasons at Saint Mary’s, where he appeared in 68 games and averaged 15.9 points and 7.3 rebounds while shooting 47.3 percent from the field. Prior to transferring to Saint Mary’s, the 6-foot-8 forward played his first college season at South Florida, where he appeared in 27 games and averaged 7.4 points and 4.6 rebounds. A native of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., Fitts was named to the 2019-20 All-WCC First Team and the 2018-19 All-WCC Second Team.

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LA Clippers Sign Malik Fitts To 10-Day Contract

The LA Clippers have traded Mfiondu Kabengele, a conditional future second-round draft pick and cash considerations to the Sacramento Kings in exchange for a conditional future second-round draft pick, announced Lawrence Frank, Clippers president of basketball operations.

Kabengele, 23, has appeared in 23 games for the Clippers this season and averaged 1.2 points in 4.1 minutes. The 6-foot-9 center made 35 career appearances across two NBA seasons with the Clippers and holds career averages of 2.0 points in 4.5 minutes. The 27th pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, Kabengele played two collegiate seasons at Florida State, earning the 2018-19 ACC Sixth Man of the Year award and 2019 All-ACC Tournament First Team honors.

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LA Clippers Send Kabengele To Sacramento

In celebration of Women’s History Month, we are highlighting the achievements and stories of our Women employees across the LA Clippers, Agua Caliente Clippers, and the Forum.

Learn more about Erin Knox, Coordinator, Partnership Marketing, LA Clippers. Erin works on various partner accounts to ensure that they are receiving great value and support for their partnership with the Clippers.

I previously worked as a Club Operations Coordinator at the NFL, focusing on the 32 teams’ digital operations.

When did you realize you wanted to work in sports?

I realized I wanted to work in sports early on in high school. I grew up watching and playing sports and when I stopped playing soccer in high school due to injury, I knew that I still wanted sports to be a huge part of my life. From there on, I sought out colleges that had Sports Management programs (Go NYU Violets) and never looked back!

What’s your favorite thing about your job?

I love being able to help facilitate/witness people making sports related memories. Some of my fondest memories have come from attending/watching sporting events with my family and friends, so seeing other people make similar memories is really exciting for me.

What advice do you have for women trying to break into the sports industry?

It’s important to have confidence in yourself and your abilities. Always remember that you belong in this industry and that you are worthy and capable of doing great things. Get experience through internships and network with other people in the industry because they can provide a lot of great advice and may even be able to help connect you with people that are hiring in the industry.

If you could have dinner with any woman in the world, who would it be and why?

I would love to have dinner with Megan Rapinoe. Besides being an incredible and entertaining athlete, I love how Megan uses her platform to educate others about social justice issues and to fight for equality. From what I can tell, she has a very fun personality in addition to having the sneaker collection of my dreams.

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Employee Spotlight | Celebrating Women's History Month with Erin Knox

The LA Clippers announced today that Associate Head Coach Dan Craig and Assistant Coaches Kenny Atkinson, Chauncey Billups, Larry Drew and Roy Rogers have joined Head Coach Tyronn Lue to complete the team’s coaching staff for the 2020-21 NBA season. Cam Hodges, Shaun Fein, Dahntay Jones and Beau Levesque will also be joining the organization in coaching and player development roles. The Clippers have retained Assistant Coaches Jeremy Castleberry and Brendan O’Connor.

“We have assembled a strong and experienced group of coaches with diverse backgrounds and perspectives,” said Lue. “They will provide our players with every opportunity to improve individually and excel as a team. As coaches, their skillsets are different, but they are all great teachers with a passion for player development, who understand how to impart their knowledge. I couldn’t be more excited to get on the court with this group.”

Craig comes to L.A. following 17 seasons with the Miami Heat, which included four years as an assistant coach and one year as the head coach of Miami’s G League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce. Craig quickly rose through Miami’s coaching ranks after joining the franchise in 2003 as a video intern. Craig helped the Heat to six NBA Finals appearances, including three NBA Championships (2006, 2012, 2013). As head coach of the Skyforce in 2016, Craig led the team to its first G League title and was named G League Coach of the Year. The Chelmsford, Mass., native played collegiately at Plymouth State University.

Atkinson joins the Clippers after spending the last four seasons as the head coach of the Brooklyn Nets, leading the team to a postseason berth in 2018-19. Before the Nets, Atkinson spent four seasons as an assistant coach with the Atlanta Hawks, helping the franchise to four Playoffs appearances, including an Eastern Conference Finals trip in 2015. He was also an assistant coach with the New York Knicks and the Director of Player Development for the Houston Rockets. A native of Northport, N.Y., Atkinson played professionally for 14 years in the United States Basketball League and overseas. He was a standout collegiate player at the University of Richmond and was inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame in 2010.

A familiar face to Clipper Nation, Billups joins the bench after working in television as an NBA analyst for ESPN, and a Clippers game analyst for Prime Ticket. A five-time NBA All-Star, 2004 NBA Finals Champion and Finals MVP, Billups spent 16 seasons in the league, averaging 15.2 points and 5.4 assists in 1,043 career appearances with the Boston Celtics, Toronto Raptors, Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, Detroit Pistons, New York Knicks and Clippers. The Denver, Colo., native was named to three All-NBA teams (2006, 2007, 2009), two All-Defensive teams (2005, 2006) and had his jersey (#1) retired by the Pistons in 2016.

Drew joins the coaching staff with 28 seasons of experience as an NBA coach, most recently having spent six seasons with the Cleveland Cavaliers, including one year as the team’s head coach in 2018-19. As a Cavs assistant coach, he helped lead the franchise to four straight NBA Finals appearances (2015-18) and an NBA Championship in 2016. Before Cleveland, Drew served as the head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks and the Atlanta Hawks. In Atlanta, he compiled a 128-102 (.557) overall record and led the Hawks to the postseason in each of his three campaigns on the bench. Drew has also served as an assistant coach for the Hawks, New Jersey Nets, Washington Wizards, Detroit Pistons and Los Angeles Lakers. The Kansas City, Mo., native played 10 seasons in the NBA, appearing in 714 games with the Pistons, Sacramento Kings, Clippers and Lakers.

Rogers comes to the Clippers with 12 years of experience as an NBA assistant coach, having spent the 2019-20 campaign with the Chicago Bulls. Before that, Rogers spent three seasons as an assistant coach with the Houston Rockets, where he helped the team to four playoff series wins and an appearance in the Western Conference Finals in 2018. Rogers also served as an assistant coach for the Washington Wizards, Brooklyn Nets, Detroit Pistons, Boston Celtics and New Jersey Nets. A former NBA player, Rogers appeared in 137 games with the Vancouver Grizzlies, Boston Celtics, Toronto Raptors and Denver Nuggets.

Hodges begins his first season as a Clippers’ coaching associate, after spending the 2019-20 season with the Philadelphia 76ers, and three seasons with the San Antonio Spurs. Hodges also spent one season as an intern with the Erie Bayhawks, the then-G League affiliate of the Orlando Magic.

Fein enters his first season as a Clippers player development coach, after spending the last four years with the Brooklyn Nets, most recently serving as the head coach of the Long Island Nets, Brooklyn’s G League affiliate. Throughout his time in Brooklyn, Fein worked in the Nets’ video department before becoming the team’s player development coordinator. Fein also spent two seasons with the Maine Red Claws, the Boston Celtics’ G League affiliate, as an assistant and player development coach.

Jones will serve as a player development and video coach for the Clippers. He was originally selected as the 20th overall pick by the Boston Celtics in the 2003 NBA Draft and went on to play 13 seasons in the NBA, winning a championship with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016. The Trenton, N.J., native appeared in 624 contests, including 33 with the Clippers, and averaged 5.4 points and 1.7 rebounds over his career with the Memphis Grizzlies, Sacramento Kings, Denver Nuggets, Indiana Pacers, Dallas Mavericks, Atlanta Hawks and Cavaliers.

Levesque joins the Clippers staff as a player development and video coach, following two seasons with the Brooklyn Nets, most recently serving as the team’s assistant video coordinator/player development assistant. He previously worked as a graduate assistant for St. John’s University, where he helped with the team’s video operations, statistical analysis, and scouting reports.

In addition to Castleberry, in his second season with the Clippers, and O’Connor, in his seventh, a number of staffers are returning. Among them, Dan Fitzpatrick has been promoted to Head Video Coordinator and Conor Dunleavy has been elevated to Assistant Video Coordinator/Player Development.

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LA Clippers Finalize Coaching Staff For 2020-21 Season

The NBA announced that LA Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard has been named to the 2019-20 All-NBA Second Team. This marks the fourth time in Leonard’s career that he has received an All-NBA distinction.

Leonard, who appeared in 57 games this season, tied for fifth in the NBA in steals per game (1.8) and ranked eighth in the league in points per game (27.1). The 6’7” forward averaged career highs in points (27.1), assists (4.9) and defensive rebounds (6.1). Leonard was previously named to the All-NBA First Team in 2016 and 2017, and the All-NBA Second Team in 2019.

The 2019-20 NBA All-NBA Second Team consists of Kawhi Leonard (LA Clippers), Nikola Jokić (Denver Nuggets), Damian Lillard (Portland Trail Blazers), Chris Paul (Oklahoma City Thunder) and Pascal Siakam (Toronto Raptors).