The Los Angeles Clippers kicked off the 2024-25 regular season in their brand new arena, the Intuit Dome, against the Phoenix Suns. Early feedback indicates that the $2 billion venue, built by Steve Balmer, might just have taken the crown as the best in the league, at least according to Kevin Durant .
" Steve Balmer did a great job with this arena, it's incredible, probably the best one I've been in. It's good to have two L.A. teams with their own arenas," Durant said postgame.
A debut loss
Unfortunately for the Clippers, they dropped their home opener (116-113) after an overtime thriller that featured James Harden and KD going head-to-head. Harden, who posted 29 points and 12 rebounds, got the help he needed from Norman Powell (17 points), Ivica Zubac (21 points), and Amir Coffey (11 points). Still, the Suns' big three of Durant, Devin Booker , and Bradley Beal was too much for them to handle.
"I'm so disappointed that we didn't get the win… History in Inglewood. The Intuit Dome. The fans came out and showed out… They gave us great, great energy tonight… We gotta do our part, and they definitely did theirs tonight ," Harden, who turned the ball over on the last possession, said .
The Clippers fans did their best to help their team win, with Durant and Booker praising the exclusive section of the arena called "The Wall." Located behind one of the baskets, it is a standing-only section filled with at least 300 of the most energetic fans, not only rooting for their squad but also distracting the opponent, especially when shooting free throws.
In addition to the players, the media and fans had nothing but pleasant things to say about their first regular-season experience at the Intuit Dome.
Can the Clippers back it all up?
Everyone on the Clippers wished that their debut at the brand-new arena ended in a win. Still, their chances were slim from the start, considering L.A.'s best player, Kawhi Leonard , is reportedly expected to be sidelined for weeks.
Moving into the Intuit Dome is a big milestone for the organization. The only question now is whether the Clippers' play this season can justify the hype the new arena has brought to the team.
For now, the organization and fans deserve to celebrate their new home. They can only hope it'll bring them more success than their previous home, the Crypto.com Arena. That might be the only way to escape the Los Angeles Lakers' shadow.
Related: "You think I'm joking? I'm neurotic" - JJ Redick plans to file a complaint regarding balls that were used in Lakers' season opener
Local News
