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 consequence, and on Wednesday night time it hosted its first ever sport as LA’s different group confronted the Phoenix Suns.
The Suns beat the Clippers, 116-113, in additional time. The Clippers have been with out injured star Kawhi Leonard for this sport, and in addition noticed Paul George stroll to the Philadelphia 76ers in free company this summer season over a contract dispute. The Clippers are most likely going to battle this 12 months in a loaded Western Convention, however they’ve one factor going for them that no different group can boast: “The Wall.”
“The Wall” is likely one of the signature options of the Intuit Dome — proper there with an infinite provide of bogs and sports activities’ largest and most high-tech video board. “The Wall” is Ballmer’s thought of a faculty basketball pupil part within the NBA. Positioned 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 sport. The primary 13 rows are standing room solely.
Kevin Durant got here to the road for a pair of free throws in crunch-time capturing towards 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 capturing towards “The Wall,” Phoenix made solely 66 % of its free throws (6-of-9).
Right here’s what it appears to be like like from the highest of “The Wall.” It’s steep!
Right here’s what “The Wall” appears to be like 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 option to get entry is by having an “Final Wall Move”
It’s steep, and it’s sick pic.twitter.com/GZzXb0uPKa
— Shane Younger (@YoungNBA) October 24, 2024
And right here’s the way it seemed on the printed with Durant on the line within the fourth quarter:
Right here’s Ballmer in his new fan part:
Will “The Wall” truly give the Clippers a real homecourt benefit? I’m not prepared to purchase that after just one sport. The Clippers led by 10 factors on the finish of the third quarter, however blew the sport regardless of the Suns capturing towards “The Wall” within the fourth quarter. What the Clippers actually need a wholesome Kawhi Leonard, however that feels impossible to ever occur once more.
Extra essential, maybe, is that different gamers assume the stadium is cool and simply might need “The Wall” of their head after they step to the foul line. Right here’s what Durant stated about “The Wall” after the sport.
“We have got to be higher popping out of the half subsequent sport, 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 liked it. I completely liked “The Wall” that they bought.” #Suns pic.twitter.com/ec20JlW6BB
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) October 24, 2024
The Clippers is perhaps an eyesore this season, however their enviornment is not like the rest in sports activities right this moment. I type of need to fly out to LA and get tickets for “The Wall.” I can’t be the one one.
