Clippers fans blessed with new arena, victory as Intuit Dome opens
The venue 25 years in the making became reality on Monday as the Clippers enjoyed a 110-96 win.
INGLEWOOD, Calif. -- The LA Clippers have not had their own home in the greater Los Angeles area for over 25 years, oftentimes feeling like a roommate who couldn’t reach in the refrigerator to take whatever they pleased.
That changed on Monday night as their luxurious Intuit Dome finally opened to the basketball public.
Fans zipped in and around the arena for several hours, taking in every little nuance and treat tucked away within the spacious hallways. High school jerseys from California adorned the walls of the concourse and charge ports for phones were built into cup holders, a reminder of how much every detail of a fan’s experience was cared for.
“The arena is really amazing,” Clippers forward Derrick Jones Jr. told reporters following the 110-96 victory over his former team, the Dallas Mavericks. “I definitely like it. It’s probably one of the best arenas that I’ve stepped foot in. Practice facility as well. I’m glad I’m here in it.”
For some within the organization, it finally felt like home. A place where the team and franchise could finally put their feet up and stretch out to the full level of comfort, something they couldn’t do in their old stomping grounds in downtown Los Angeles.
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