In six past games played on October 19, the Clippers won twice, both against the Lakers-era 2017 and 2018 rosters, and lost four. The 2026-27 team opens Wednesday against the Kings with the same questions of depth and health.
The date has been unkind, with two exceptions.
The Clippers lost on October 19 to Boston in 1974 (113-95), to Seattle in 1979, to Phoenix in 1980 and to the Lakers in 1971. The wins came in consecutive years: 108-92 at the Lakers in 2017, then 108-92 against Oklahoma City in 2018. Those were the Lob City afterglow years, with a deep rotation. Depth is what separates those two nights from the rest.
The franchise has always measured itself against the Lakers.
The 2017 win in the other locker room of a shared building is the only date-specific victory over the Lakers. This week the 2026 team plays them twice in six days, October 23 on the road and October 28 at Intuit Dome. Ownership of the city is still the argument, and the Clippers have never reached the Finals.
This roster is built on two stars and a thin cushion.
Garland ($42.2 million) and Ingram ($40.0 million) anchor a payroll of $193.7 million, over the cap and about $6.7 million under the tax line. Ingram is back on the court but has no return date from his partially torn Achilles, and Beal is listed as out. Estimated returns for Ingram, Strus, Beal and Niederhauser are all November 8, while Miller is listed through March 2. Last season the club went 42-40 with a net rating of 1.1.
Lopez and Sanders offer the early evidence of a deeper team.
Brook Lopez, 38, has added about eight minutes a night over his last three games. Kobe Sanders has posted a 73.8 percent true shooting mark over his last 10 games, and he was cleared Saturday. Isaiah Jackson, per Hoops Rumors, will start at center for the opener. The 1974 team had McAdoo and still lost by 18, so a night of quiet competence would be an improvement on the franchise record.
How have the Clippers done on October 19 in past seasons?
They have played six games on October 19 and won two, in 2017 at the Lakers and in 2018 against Oklahoma City. The other four were losses between 1971 and 1980.
When do the Clippers open the 2026-27 season?
They open Wednesday, October 21, at home against the Kings. Their next game after that is October 23 at the Lakers.
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