Los Angeles Clippers governor Steve Ballmer spent $2 billion in an try to lastly get out of the Lakers’ shadow. The Intuit Dome — the Clippers’ state-of-the-art enviornment — is the end result, and on Wednesday night time it hosted its first ever recreation as LA’s different crew confronted the Phoenix Suns.
The Suns beat the Clippers, 116-113, in extra time. The Clippers had been with out injured star Kawhi Leonard for this recreation, and in addition noticed Paul George stroll to the Philadelphia 76ers in free company this summer time over a contract dispute. The Clippers are in all probability going to battle this yr in a loaded Western Convention, however they’ve one factor going for them that no different crew can boast: “The Wall.”
“The Wall” is among the signature options of the Intuit Dome — proper there with a vast provide of bathrooms and sports activities’ largest and most high-tech video board. “The Wall” is Ballmer’s thought of a school basketball pupil part within the NBA. Situated behind one of many baskets, “The Wall” has 51 uninterrupted rows of followers at a steep vertical incline which can be anticipated to be loud and annoying to the opposition all recreation. The primary 13 rows are standing room solely.
Kevin Durant got here to the road for a pair of free throws in crunch-time taking pictures in opposition to the backdrop of the wall. Durant in some way missed each:
The Suns shot 73 % from the road on the night time. Within the fourth quarter taking pictures in opposition to “The Wall,” Phoenix made solely 66 % of its free throws (6-of-9).
Right here’s what it appears like from the highest of “The Wall.” It’s steep!
Right here’s what “The Wall” appears like from floor stage on the different finish of the ground:
One other have a look at “The Wall” right here at Intuit Dome. It’s 51 uninterrupted rows of Clippers followers and the one strategy to get entry is by having an “Final Wall Go”
It’s steep, and it’s sick pic.twitter.com/GZzXb0uPKa
— Shane Younger (@YoungNBA) October 24, 2024
And right here’s the way it appeared on the published with Durant on the line within the fourth quarter:
Right here’s Ballmer in his new fan part:
Will “The Wall” really give the Clippers a real homecourt benefit? I’m not prepared to purchase that after just one recreation. The Clippers led by 10 factors on the finish of the third quarter, however blew the sport regardless of the Suns taking pictures in opposition to “The Wall” within the fourth quarter. What the Clippers really want a wholesome Kawhi Leonard, however that feels not possible to ever occur once more.
Extra necessary, maybe, is that different gamers suppose the stadium is cool and simply may need “The Wall” of their head once they step to the foul line. Right here’s what Durant mentioned about “The Wall” after the sport.
“We have to be higher popping out of the half subsequent recreation, however I completely love what we did within the 4th quarter.”
Suns rallied from 10-point deficit in 4th to high Clippers in OT in new $2B Intuit Dome.
“Unbelievable. I cherished it. I completely cherished “The Wall” that they received.” #Suns pic.twitter.com/ec20JlW6BB
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) October 24, 2024
The Clippers is perhaps an eyesore this season, however their enviornment is in contrast to anything in sports activities at present. I sort of wish to fly out to LA and get tickets for “The Wall.” I can’t be the one one.
