LOS ANGELES, CA – The L.A. Clippers and Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) have announced that the Clippers will return to Honolulu for Training Camp to tip off the 2019-20 season. The Clippers’ third annual Training Camp trip to Hawaii will include a preseason game against Russell Westbrook, James Harden and the Houston Rockets on Thursday, October 3 at 7:00 p.m. HT and another against the Chinese Basketball Association’s (CBA) Shanghai Sharks, owned and run by retired NBA star Yao Ming, on Sunday, October 6 at 1:00 p.m. HT. Both games will be played at the Stan Sheriff Center on the campus of the University of Hawaii at Manoa.
“All of Clipper Nation is excited to return to the Hawaiian Islands this fall,” said Gillian Zucker, Clippers President of Business Operations. “Every year, we hear from our players, fans and staff about how much they look forward to starting the season in Honolulu. While in Hawaii, our players have the opportunity to grow together as a team, our fans are able to enjoy the hospitality of the islands - plus Clippers basketball - and we leave with a lasting spirit of Aloha.”
The successful partnership between the Clippers and HTA will positively impact Hawaiian residents through a number of opportunities for local youth, coaches and sports fans. As part of the agreement between the Clippers and HTA, the Clippers will host a youth basketball clinic and a coaches clinic in Hawaii, and also refurbish a local school’s computer lab.
“It’s important to us that the relationships we have with sports teams, like the Clippers, impact the community,” said Chris Tatum, President and CEO of Hawaii Tourism Authority. “Through this meaningful partnership between Hawaii Tourism and the Clippers, not only will fans see great basketball, but we will work hand-in-hand with the team to engage with the community by holding clinics for kids and coaches, and doing something special for a local school.”
The Clippers finished the 2018-19 season with a 48-34 record and earned the eighth seed in the Western Conference Playoffs, becoming the fifth team in NBA history to win at least 45 games without an All-Star. The team signed two-time Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard and added six-time All-Star Paul George in a trade this offseason. In addition, the team re-signed Patrick Beverley, JaMychal Green, Rodney McGruder and Ivica Zubac, added Maurice Harkless via trade and drafted Mfiondu Kabengele and Terance Mann in the 2019 NBA Draft.
The Clippers’ comprehensive marketing partnership with HTA enters its fourth NBA season. Tickets for the Clippers’ Hawaii games, which start as low as $8, will go on sale Tuesday at 12:00 p.m. HT/3:00 p.m. PT at www.clippers.com/hawaii.
FOX Sports West, Prime Ticket and FOX Sports San Diego will tip off their 2019-20 Clippers season schedule with live coverage of the games, including “Clippers Live” pre and post-game.
These two games in Hawaii complete the Clippers preseason schedule, which also includes matchups against the Denver Nuggets and Australia’s Melbourne United on October 10th and 13th respectively, at the STAPLES Center, and a game at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, Canada against the Dallas Mavericks on October 17th.
About the L.A. Clippers
Led by Chairman Steve Ballmer, the L.A. Clippers in 2019-20 are competing in the franchise’s 50th season, after eight consecutive winning seasons and seven Playoffs appearances in the past eight seasons. Head Coach Doc Rivers, the winningest head coach in franchise history, has compiled the NBA’s 5th-best record over the course of his time in L.A. The Clippers are committed to the city of Los Angeles and through the L.A. Clippers Foundation, provide resources and opportunities that make a positive difference toward leveling the playing field for youth in Southern California. Visit the Clippers online at www.clippers.com or follow them on social media @LAClippers.
About the Hawaii Tourism Authority
The Hawaii Tourism Authority is the State of Hawaii agency responsible for strategically managing its support of the tourism industry. Established in 1998 to support Hawaii’s leading industry and largest employer, HTA continually strives to help ensure tourism’s sustainability and the benefits it brings to residents and communities statewide.