NBA’s Clippers open exhibition season in Oceanside vs. Chinese team

The Los Angeles Clippers christened Frontwave Arena a year ago, playing the first-ever basketball game in Oceanside’s sparkling new venue.

They were rewarded with a packed house — and a win.

The NBA club will return to Frontwave on Thursday night, opening its preseason schedule with a game against China’s Guangzhou Loong Lions. The 7:30 p.m. start will turn the focus to the court following an offseason that has included its share of controversy.

Though it’s unclear who exactly will play on Thursday, this year’s Clippers are stocked with veteran talent. San Diego State legend Kawhi Leonard and newcomers Chris Paul and Bradley Beal join returning All-Star James Harden to form a core that, if healthy and effective, could push the Clippers deep into the playoffs. ESPN.com’s Kevin Pelton projects the Clippers to win 49.7 games in the 2025-26 season, the fourth-highest total in the Western Conference behind the defending NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder (59.2), Golden State Warriors (56.1) and Denver Nuggets (52.2) — and ahead of the rival Los Angeles Lakers (45.8).

Here’s everything you need to know about the Clippers and Loong Lions ahead of Thursday’s game:

Welcome back: The Clippers opened Frontwave last October with a 115-106 win over the Brooklyn Nets. Leonard, recovering from an offseason knee issue, watched the game in street clothes — including a Padres cap. Why Oceanside? Frontwave is home to the G League’s San Diego Clippers, the L.A. club’s minor-league affiliate.

About the Loong Lions: Known in English as the hyphenated “Long-Lions,” Guangzhou plays in the Chinese Basketball Association’s Southern Division. The team features multiple American-born players. Former University of Wisconsin star Frank Kaminsky led the Long-Lions with 22 points and seven rebounds in Monday’s exhibition opener against the San Antonio Spurs. Victor Oladipo, an 11-year NBA veteran, also started for the Long-Lions; another longtime NBA-er, Justin Holliday, came off the bench in the 119-88 loss in San Antonio. The team will wrap its three-game NBA tour next week with a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

About the Clippers: While the Clippers’ offseason was marred by reports that owner Steve Ballmer skirted salary cap rules in order to pay Leonard more money, something Ballmer denies, there’s a lot to like with this year’s team. Harden is back on a two-year, $81.5 million contract. Leonard appeared in just 37 games last season, but averaged 21.5 points, 5.9 rebounds and 3.1 assists — mostly in line with his career totals. Paul is back for his second stint with the club, while Beal arrives from Phoenix after averaging his fewest points per game (17.0) in a decade. Reserves Brook Lopez and Nicolas Batum have a combined 34 years of NBA experience, while Paul has 20 on his own and Harden has 16.

San Diego ties: Leonard played at San Diego State, as did Clippers assistant coach Jeremy Castleberry. Clippers rookie Kobe Sanders attended Christian High School. Jordan Miller, who was the G League Clippers’ second-leading scorer last year with 24.5 points per game, is on the NBA club’s training camp roster; so are 2024-25 San Diego Clippers standouts Patrick Baldwin Jr. (18.4 ppg) and Cam Christie (18.2 ppg).

A good week: This marks the second NBA exhibition played in San Diego County in less than a week. The Timberwolves beat the Nuggets 126-116 on Saturday in front of a sold-out crowd of 12,096 at Pechanga Arena. Denver spent five days training in San Diego before the game.

Up next in Oceanside: The G League’s San Diego Clippers open their season Nov. 8 against the Stockton Kings, with their home opener set for Nov. 14 against the Salt Lake City Stars.

Los Angeles Clippers vs. Guangzhou Loong Lions (exhibition)

When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday

Where: Frontwave Arena