The Los Angeles Clippers will debut marquee offseason acquisitions Kawhi Leonard and Paul George in Oct. 3 and 6 preseason games at the Stan Sheriff Center as part of a third annual training camp here, the team announced.
The 7 p.m. Oct. 3 game will match the Clippers with the Houston Rockets and star guards Russell Westbrook and James Harden.
A 1 p.m. Oct. 6 game will be against the Shanghai Sharks, a Chinese Basketball Association team owned and operated by retired NBA star Yao Ming.
The games and community engagement events are elements of a marketing agreement with the Hawaii Tourism Authority.
“All of Clipper Nation is excited to return to the Hawaiian Islands this fall,” said Gillian Zucker, Clippers President of Business Operations. “Every year, we hear from our players, fans and staff about how much they look forward to starting the season in Honolulu.”
Tickets for the games go on sale Tuesday at noon (Hawaii Time) at www.clippers.com/hawaii.
As part of their agreement with the HTA, the Clippers will host a youth basketball clinic and a coaches clinic here and also refurbish a local school’s computer lab.
“It’s important to us that the relationships we have with sports teams, like the Clippers, impact the community,” said Chris Tatum, HTA President and CEO. “Through this meaningful partnership between HTA and the Clippers, not only will fans see great basketball, but we will work hand-in-hand with the team to engage with the community by holding clinics for kids and coaches, and doing something special for a local school.”
In addition to Leonard, a two-time NBA Finals MVP, and George, a six-time all-star, the Clippers re-signed Patrick Beverley, JaMychal Green, Rodney McGruder and Ivica Zubac, added Maurice Harkless through a trade and drafted Mfiondu Kabengele and Terance Mann. They also feature sixth Lou Williams, the NBA Sixth Man of the Year in 2015, 2018, and 2019, and Montrezl Harrell.
Both games are scheduled to be carried by Prime Ticket and FOX Sports San Diego, the team said.
