Clippers Announce Preseason Game vs. Warriors in Unique Location

During the NBA preseason, teams typically go to new locations to play games as the league wants to expand the game globally. The Los Angeles Clippers are no strangers to taking trips to play before the season, and just recently they announced they'll be going to a new location. 

The Clippers will play the Golden State Warriors in Hawaii on October 4th. The Clippers organization is no stranger to playing games in different locations in the preseason. In 2012 and 2015, they played games in China before the regular season tipoff. 

In 2010, they played a game in Mexico City, and in 2006, they played a game in Russia. In terms of regular-season traveling, the organization has some experience with that as well. In 2003, the Clippers played the Seattle Supersonics in Japan during the regular season. 

In 2022, the Golden State Warriors faced the Washington Wizards in Japan prior to the regular season, and with the addition of Rui Hachimura to Los Angeles, there's a chance the franchise could find themselves back there soon. 

What makes Hawaii an interesting choice is that there's a mix of West Coast sports fans, and it makes this game between the Clippers and Warriors more of a neutral site. While the state doesn't have its own professional sports teams, the University of Hawaii athletics department is very popular, and it's where this game will be held. 

The game itself will be very interesting to watch as the Warriors and Clippers have some reserves that will look to earn a spot in the rotation. It will also be an opportunity for lottery picks Yaxel Lendeborg and Keaton Wagler to showcase their talents against fellow NBA players. 

The main priority for both teams this preseason is to get their young players some time on the court and get them used to NBA game speed. Wagler is coming into the league slightly undersized, and Los Angeles will likely need him to play a more physical brand of basketball. 

The Clippers also have younger pieces like Kobe Sanders and Baba Miller who will likely see a lot of minutes in early October. Jordan Miller was another piece who was going to see the floor frequently with the Clippers in preseason, but a surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff will keep him out of action for an extended period of time. 

The Clippers' season is starting soon, and with their first preseason game being in Hawaii, it's an opportunity for the organization to attract a new audience in time for the regular season tipoff.