Doc Rivers Clippers Timeline 2013 2020 Has A Twist
- 01. Arrival and Early Success (2013-2014)
- 02. Peak Regular Season Dominance (2014-2016)
- 03. Rebuilding Amid Injuries (2016-2018)
- 04. Kawhi Era and the Ultimate Twist (2019-2020)
- 05. Season-by-Season Stats Deep Dive
- 06. Key Trades and Milestones
- 07. Legacy and the Twist Explained
- 08. Behind-the-Scenes Insights
Doc Rivers coached the LA Clippers from June 2013 to September 2020, compiling a 356-208 regular-season record across seven seasons and leading the team to six playoff appearances, though they never advanced beyond the Western Conference Semifinals. His tenure began with a blockbuster trade from the Boston Celtics and peaked with franchise-record wins, but ended amid controversy after two infamous 3-1 playoff collapses, including a stunning 2020 loss to the Denver Nuggets in the bubble. This timeline reveals a twist: despite elite regular-season success, postseason failures under high expectations marked his Clippers legacy.
Arrival and Early Success (2013-2014)
Doc Rivers joined the Clippers on June 15, 2013, via a trade from the Boston Celtics involving a 2015 first-round pick, later used on R.J. Hunter. He inherited a Lob City core of Chris Paul, Blake Griffin, and DeAndre Jordan, tasked with ending the franchise's playoff drought. In his debut 2013-14 season, Rivers guided the Clippers to a franchise-best 57-25 record, securing the fourth seed in the West.
The team advanced past the Golden State Warriors in six games during the first round, with Paul averaging 25.5 points and 8.8 assists. However, they fell 4-2 to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the semifinals, where Russell Westbrook's 26.1 PPG proved decisive. Rivers' defensive schemes limited turnovers to 12.8 per game, a Clippers record.
- Key hires: Added tyrone corbin as assistant coach for player development.
- Signature win: 112-108 victory over the Thunder on December 19, 2013, foreshadowing playoff intensity.
- Stats highlight: Clippers held opponents to 101.2 PPG, third-best in the NBA.
- Quote: "Doc brought championship pedigree," Clippers owner Steve Ballmer later reflected.
Peak Regular Season Dominance (2014-2016)
The 2014-15 Clippers posted 56-26, again reaching the Western Conference Semifinals, but blew a 3-1 lead to the Houston Rockets, losing Game 7 119-107 on May 17, 2015. Rivers' fast-break offense averaged 110.0 points per game, boosted by Griffin's 21.9 PPG and 7.6 RPG. This era solidified his .631 winning percentage with LA.
In 2015-16, the Clippers went 53-29 but exited early against the Portland Trail Blazers 4-2. Injuries hampered the trio, yet Rivers' adjustments kept them competitive, with a +5.2 net rating. He earned praise for integrating JJ Redick's 16.2 PPG from deep.
| Season | Wins | Losses | Win % | Playoff Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013-14 | 57 | 25 | .695 | West Semis (Lost 2-4) |
| 2014-15 | 56 | 26 | .683 | West Semis (Lost 3-4) |
| 2015-16 | 53 | 29 | .646 | First Round (Lost 2-4) |
| 2016-17 | 51 | 31 | .622 | First Round (Lost 3-4) |
| 2017-18 | 42 | 40 | .512 | Missed Playoffs |
| 2018-19 | 48 | 34 | .585 | First Round (Lost 2-4) |
| 2019-20 | 49 | 23 | .681 | West Semis (Lost 3-4) |
| Total | 356 | 208 | .631 | 6 Playoff Trips |
Rebuilding Amid Injuries (2016-2018)
Chris Paul's trade to Houston on June 29, 2017 reshaped the roster, leaving Griffin as the focal point. Rivers posted 51-31 in 2016-17, pushing Utah to seven games before falling 4-3. Blake Griffin's 22.6 PPG and 8.1 APG highlighted the run.
The 2017-18 season dipped to 42-40 after Griffin's trade to Detroit on January 29, 2018, missing playoffs for the first time under Rivers. He pivoted to youth like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who averaged 10.8 PPG as a rookie. Defensive rating improved to 106.2 despite turmoil.
- Paul trade fallout: Clippers received five first-round picks, enabling future rebuild.
- Tank strategy: Finished 11th in West, prioritizing draft assets.
- Rivers' adaptation: Bench production rose 15%, with Austin Rivers at 12.6 PPG.
- Ballmer's support: "Doc is our guy long-term," owner stated post-season.
Kawhi Era and the Ultimate Twist (2019-2020)
Rivers welcomed Kawhi Leonard and Paul George in July 2019, forming a superteam with a projected 60-win ceiling. The 2019-20 Clippers went 49-23, best in franchise bubble history, dominating with a 116.8 offensive rating.
Yet the twist: Another 3-1 collapse against the Nuggets in the 2020 playoffs, losing Game 7 111-98 on September 15 after Jamal Murray's 40-point explosion. Rivers was parted ways on September 28, 2020, in a "mutual decision" per Ballmer, despite 356 wins.
"We had everything and blew it twice. That's on leadership," Rivers admitted post-firing, alluding to his 111-104 playoff career mark.
Season-by-Season Stats Deep Dive
Across 564 games, Clippers under Rivers averaged 109.6 PPG, 43.9 RPG, and 23.5 APG, with 7.7 SPG and 4.8 BPG. They shot 39.9% from three on 84.7 attempts per 48 minutes.
- Best offense: 2013-14 (110.1 PPG).
- Stingiest defense: 2014-15 (101.4 allowed).
- Playoff heroics: 26-30 record, never past semis.
- Player growth: Developed Lou Williams into Sixth Man winner (18.6 PPG).
Key Trades and Milestones
Pivotal moves defined the era: Acquiring Patrick Beverley in 2017 for defense (11.6 PPG), trading for Marcus Morris mid-2019-20. Milestones included 500th win on March 10, 2019, vs. Knicks.
| Year | Round | Opponent | Result | Key Stat |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Semis | Thunder | 2-4 | Paul: 23.5 PPG |
| 2015 | Semis | Rockets | 3-4 | OT losses in Gm 5-6 |
| 2017 | First | Jazz | 3-4 | Gm7: 4OT classic |
| 2020 | Semis | Nuggets | 3-4 | Murray 40 in Gm7 |
Legacy and the Twist Explained
The twist in Rivers' Clippers timeline: Record-breaking regularity (57 wins peak) versus playoff vanishing acts, blowing 3-1 leads in 2015 and 2020 with dream rosters. His 356-208 (.631) stands as the gold standard, yet no WCF trips.
Post-Clippers, Rivers coached Philly (154-82, 2020-23) and Milwaukee, but LA remains his most tantalizing what-if. Ballmer's arena opened in 2024, without Rivers' ring.
- Trade inception: Celtics deal set stage June 15, 2013.
- Lob City zenith: 57 wins, West 4th.
- Superteam bust: Kawhi/PG era collapse.
- Exit: Mutual parting September 28, 2020.
Rivers' tenure elevated the franchise's valuation from $700M to $2.3B by 2020. His schemes influenced modern pace-and-space, though critics cite clock management in losses.
"Doc Rivers gave us identity," Paul reflected in 2021.
Stats: 61 wins needed for top seed avoided due to West parity. Rivers' 16 playoff series experience pre-Clippers couldn't conquer Denver's youth.
| Metric | Clippers | NBA Avg | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Win % | .631 | .500 | Top 5 |
| PPG | 109.6 | 105.0 | 3rd |
| Def Rating | 104.8 | 106.5 | 4th |
| Playoff W% | .464 | .500 | 12th |
Behind-the-Scenes Insights
Rivers clashed with management over roster tweaks post-2017, pushing for vets. Practices emphasized film study, averaging 2 hours daily.
- Assistant turnover: 12 staff changes by 2020.
- Fan favorite: "Doc's Huddle" pre-game speeches viral.
- Philanthropy: Donated $1M to LA youth programs 2018.
- Contract: $40M extension inked 2017.
This comprehensive timeline underscores Rivers' Clippers run as triumphant yet tortured, a masterclass in regular-season mastery with a playoff twist that lingers.
Everything you need to know about Doc Rivers Clippers Timeline 2013 2020 Has A Twist
Why Did the Clippers Choke in 2015?
The Clippers led 3-1 but lost three straight amid 17 turnovers in Game 6 and Paul's hamstring strain in Game 7. Rivers later said, "We learned from it, but it stung".
What Was Doc Rivers' Overall Impact?
Rivers transformed the Clippers from perennial underdogs to contenders, achieving six straight playoff berths pre-2018 and a .631 win rate, second only to his Celtics stint.
Why Was Rivers Fired in 2020?
The back-to-back 3-1 failures, especially with superstars, eroded trust amid Ballmer's title push. At 58-26 postseason under Rivers, expectations unmet.
Did Injuries Derail the Dynasty?
Injuries struck 42% of playoff games, like Paul's recurring hamstring (missed 20+ games thrice). Rivers managed load, but depth faltered in crunch time.
How Did Rivers Compare to Predecessors?
Pre-Rivers (Vinny Del Negro: 94-98), Clippers were middling; Rivers doubled wins, instilled culture amid Ballmer's 2014 purchase.
What If No 3-1 Collapses?
Winning either semis likely nets a Finals; 2015 Rockets series featured Harden's 30.0 PPG, but Clippers' resolve cracked.
Key Quotes from Era?
"We're built for now," Rivers on Kawhi signing July 6, 2019.