NBA in the Coachella Valley, Agua Caliente Clippers, coming to New Palm Springs Arena?

by Coachella Valley | November 3, 2019 8:02 pm

The Desert Sun looked [1]at the preliminary planning documents for the 10,000-seat indoor arena for Palm Springs, California.

According to the Desert Sun details found in preliminary planning documents from the Mobility Group, an Oak View consultant, indicate the new arena announced by Tribal leaders last month could host an estimated 144 events a year, including NBA basketball games. Here’s what is included:

39 hockey games
31 basketball games
39 concerts
11 family shows
24 other events

So is the NBA and the G Team League going to play their games in our new Arena?

ESCAPEPS.COM – Escape Room in Palm Springs – Sponsored

Many don’t know, but the Agua Caliente Tribe already sponsor the Agua Caliente Clippers, an NBA G League Team that play in Ontario, CA.

Last year they played 50 games of which near half were played at home in Ontario. Seems too perfect for them not to move to the new downtown stadium when completed, with 31 available slots for “Basketball Events” to be played in Palm Springs listed… Right?

We think so, here is more on the Agua Caliente Clippers.

The first and only NBA or G League team to be named after a Native American Tribe, the Agua Caliente Clippers of Ontario are named for the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, a federally recognized Tribe located in Palm Springs, Calif.

The Tribe owns and operates the Agua Caliente Casino Resorts, which includes the Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa in Rancho Mirage, Calif., and Spa Resort Casino in downtown Palm Springs.

With 31,500 acres of reservation lands that spread across Palm Springs, Cathedral City, Rancho Mirage, and into the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto mountains, the Tribe also owns the Tahquitz and Indian Canyons recreational areas, and two 18-hole championship golf courses.

“Agua Caliente has been an essential part of the Clippers experience for the past three seasons. Their support of the Agua Caliente Clippers was critical as we launched our new G League team, and their contributions to our game entertainment in L.A. help us ensure Clippers fans have the best experience possible,” says Gillian Zucker, President of Business Operations, L.A. Clippers. “But most importantly, Agua Caliente Casino Resorts and the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians understand what the Clippers stand for, and how important it is for us to work together to make a meaningful impact on our communities.

We’re proud to partner with Agua Caliente as our organizations move forward together.”

About the Agua Caliente Clippers of Ontario and L.A. Clippers!

Team: Agua Caliente Clippers

First Season: 2017-2018

Affiliate: Los Angeles Clippers

Location: Ontario, California

Arena: Citizens Business Bank Arena

Head Coach: Brian Adams

2018-2019 Finish: 26-24 (3rd in Pacific Division)

2018-2019 Accolades: Angel Delgado (All-NBA G League 1st Team/Rookie of the Year/All-NBA G League Rookie Team), Jonathan Motley (All-NBA G League 2nd Team)

2018-2019 NBA Call-Ups: None

Current Two-Way Players: Amir Coffey (Minnesota) and Jonathan Motley (Baylor)

The Agua Caliente Clippers were one of four NBA G League expansion teams to make their debut in the 2017-2018 season along with the Wisconsin Herd, Memphis Hustle and Lakeland Magic. On May 15, 2017, it was announced that the Clippers would make their debut in Ontario, California, located about 40 miles east of Los Angeles.

The team gets their namesake from their biggest sponsor, the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, a federally recognized Native American tribe in Palm Springs, Calif. The Cahuilla tribe has roots dating back over 5,000 years to the Palm Springs area and is the Los Angeles Clippers’ official tribal casino partner.

The A.C. Clippers finished just five games out of the 2017-2018 NBA G League Playoffs in their inaugural season despite winning each of their final three regular season games. The team was led by California-products Tyrone Wallace[3] and J.J. O’Brien[4] who averaged 22.6 points and 15.9 points per game respectively for Agua Caliente.

The Clippers ranked in the top 10 in the NBA G League last season in rebounding, corralling 45.7 boards per contest. Former NCAA First-Team All-American Brice Johnson[5] led the attack on the glass, posting 9.2 rebounds per game along with 13.2 points.

In their second NBA G League season, the Agua Caliente Clippers narrowly missed the playoffs, finishing 3rd in the Pacific Division with a franchise-best 26-24 record.

Two-Way player Angel Delgado, who was named to the All-NBA G League First Team and earned NBA G League Rookie of the Year honors, led the charge with averages of 18.5 points and 14.8 rebounds per game during the 2018-19 season. Jonathan Motley, the Clippers’ other Two-Way player, finished on the All-NBA G League Second Team after notching 24.5 points, 10 rebounds and 3.2 assists per contest.

Motley returns to the Clippers on the second year of his Two-Way contract, while Amir Coffey will fill Agua Caliente’s other slot previously held by Angel Delgado. Coffey spent three seasons at Minnesota, where he was named to the All-Big 10 Third Team in 2019 and the Big Ten All-Freshman Team in 2017.

Coffey is a dynamic, scoring guard with length to cause problems defensively and the athleticism to become a driving force behind an offense.

Highlights 2018/2019 Season: https://dai.ly/x7l8iy[6]

The Agua Caliente Clippers of Ontario compete in the NBA G League. Established prior to the 2017-18 season, the team serves as the G League affiliate to the NBA’s L.A. Clippers.

Led by Chairman Steve Ballmer, the L.A. Clippers in 2018-19 are competing in the franchise’s 49th season and 35th in Los Angeles. They recently extended a franchise record, completing their seventh consecutive winning season in 2017-18. The team has logged the NBA’s 5th-best record over the course of head coach Doc Rivers’ five-year tenure. The Clippers are committed to the city of Los Angeles and through the L.A. Clippers Foundation, provide resources and opportunities that make a positive difference toward leveling the playing field for youth in Southern California. Visit the Clippers online at www.clippers.com[7] or follow them on social media @LAClippers[8]. Visit the Agua Caliente Clippers online at www.acclippers.com[9] or follow them on social

Source URL: https://coachellavalley.com/nba-in-the-coachella-valley-aqua-caliente-clippers-coming-to-new-palm-springs-arena/

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