Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
The Clippers are headed to the playoffs during their first season at the Intuit Dome, the new arena that cost $2 billion to build. One of the most notable features was a section reserved for diehard fans dubbed “The Wall,” and it appears that unique setup helped them gain an edge over the visiting team.
The Los Angeles Clippers spent 25 years sharing what is now known as Crypto.com Arena with the Lakers while spending the bulk of that span playing second fiddle to the NBA franchise that has historically been the main draw in the city they call home.
Getting an arena of their own was never going to be a magic fix to solve that problem, but it certainly wasn’t going to hurt. There was subsequently plenty of excitement surrounding the erection of the Intuit Dome, which officially opened for business this season after three years of construction.
Clippers owner Steve Ballmer was heavily involved in the design of the state-of-the-art facility. He took great pride in the number of toilets they were able to incorporate, and it was hard not to be impressed by its massive scoreboard and the dedicated t-shirt cannons that make it possible for fans sitting well away from the action to secure a souvenir.
One of the most intriguing features was what was dubbed “The Wall,” a 51-row section that fits approximately 4,500 spectators located directly behind one of the baskets; attendees initially had to pass a litmus test to prove they were Clippers fans, although anyone can now sit there as long as they don’t cheer for the opposing team or wear apparel repping any other NBA franchise.
The Wall was meant to foster the same kind of energy as the student section at a college basketball game, an atmosphere that hasn’t really been replicated on a regular basis at NBA games. However, the Clippers seem to be onto something based on the stats from their first 41 games at the Inuit Dome.
Sportico did a great deep dive into the numbers from the regular season and noted the Rockets were the only team in the NBA that held opponents to a lower free-throw percentage this season (74% and 74.8%, respectively).
However, there’s a significant (and unparalleled) difference when it comes to free throws attempted in front of The Wall and those at the other end of the court, as opponents saw their success rate drop by 4.7% when tasked with shooting in front of the rowdy section of Clippers fans.
As the outlet notes, it seems like The Wall also had a small influence on shoots from deep, as three-pointers on that end of the court went in 32.9% of the time compared to the 33.5% on the opposite side of the hardwood.
All hail The Wall.