Clippers open season without owner Steve Ballmer, rout Kings

INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Steve Ballmer is serving a one-year suspension that will keep him away from his beloved LA Clippers.The Clippers, determined to stay together in their billionaire owner's absence, started the season with a win, routing the Sacramento Kings 121-96 on Wednesday night in front of 17,927 fans at Intuit Dome."First off, that win was for Mr.

Ballmer," coach Tyronn Lue said in opening his postgame comments. "Just want to say thank you for everything, and we're still fighting for him."Ballmer was banned from all league and team activities in September after the NBA found the Clippers guilty of violating salary cap circumvention rules involving Kawhi Leonard, who was traded to the Toronto Raptors last month.

The NBA said Ballmer knowingly sought to help Leonard obtain off-court income opportunities.Ballmer's ban means no phone calls, no texts, no hobnobbing. Only silence from a man who loves to talk, especially about his team."He was …

المصدر: espn boxing