407 days. That’s how long it has been since the LA Clippers have played in front of their home fans. Today, against the Minnesota Timberwolves, those fans will finally be back, albeit in a limited capacity.
Fans coming back to see the LA Clippers is a welcome sight.
While we won’t have a packed Staples Center, having fans back and present will still be valuable. The Clippers have played in front of opposing fans, as recently as Friday in Philadelphia, but being in front of a favorable home crowd will be something different.
Throughout the season the Clippers have had to make their own energy. While players such as Patrick Beverley and Marcus Morris are more than capable of being emotional leaders for this team, having that fan energy to feed off of is something the team will need moving forward.
The Clippers only have six regular-season games remaining at home but will have their home fans there with them throughout the postseason. After the team’s experience in the bubble last season, having their fans behind them during the playoffs could help immensely.
Welcome back, #ClipperNation. pic.twitter.com/iMf7KEXbCM
— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) April 18, 2021
This team seems to have better mental fortitude compared to last year’s iteration but having that fan backing helps regardless. Do the Clippers lose last year’s 3-1 lead against Denver if they had been able to get back home and in front of their fans? Maybe not. This year, we won’t have to question that.
Yes, the return is big for the team but it is also huge for the fans. After such a difficult past year, having that three-hour reprieve to go sit inside Staples Center and enjoy some basketball has to feel great. Seeing the Clippers in person helps bring some sense of return to normalcy and hopefully some much-needed joy.