Clippers’ Path to the Playoffs: Regular Season Review and Play-In Preview
Few people expected the Los Angeles Clippers to be one of the four Western Conference teams competing for a playoff spot in the 2026 NBA Play-In Tournament. But now, the Clippers are the No. 9 seed and still in the running to make their fourth straight playoff appearance.
Here is a breakdown of the Clippers’ regular season and what to expect for Los Angeles going into the play-in tournament against the No. 10 seed Golden State Warriors. Early-Season Adversity The Clippers dealt with adversity both on and off the court that contributed to a disastrous start to the season.
During the preseason, the Clippers and superstar Kawhi Leonard found themselves in the middle of an NBA investigation that began in September and has spanned the entire season. The league is investigating if the franchise used a fraudulent endorsement deal to pay Leonard more money and circumvent the NBA’s salary cap. Then, a few weeks into the season, starting guard Bradley Beal suffered a season-ending hip fracture that required surgery in November.
By December, the Clippers controversially dismissed veteran Chris Paul from the team after signing him for the final season of his career in the summer. By Dec. 20, the Clippers were 6-21.
A Challenge From Ty Lue Despite their 6-21 record, the Clippers upset the Los Angeles Lakers when Leonard scored a season-high 32 points against the crosstown rivals on Dec. 20. Jan 22, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) defends a shot by Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) in the first half at Intuit Dome.