The Los Angeles Clippers are heading to Hawaii for their 2026-27 NBA training camp and a preseason matchup against the Golden State Warriors. The team will travel after their Media Day on September 28, holding camp at the University of Hawaii at Manoa from September 29 through October 3. They will then face the Warriors in Honolulu on Sunday, October 4. This comes after a tough end to their previous campaign, where their last result was a 120-101 loss to the Denver Nuggets on May 3, 2025, and their recent form shows two consecutive losses.
What is the schedule for the Los Angeles Clippers in Hawaii?
The Clippers' official preseason activities begin with Media Day at their new Intuit Dome on Monday, September 28. The team then flies to Hawaii for a five-day training camp running from Tuesday, September 29, to Saturday, October 3. All on-court sessions will be conducted on the campus of the University of Hawaii at Manoa. This island trip culminates in a preseason game against the Golden State Warriors at a Honolulu venue on Sunday, October 4. Fans can track the team's progress and upcoming games on our [fixtures](/fixtures) page.
This marks the sixth time since 2017 that the Los Angeles Clippers have chosen Hawaii for their preseason preparations. The unique environment offers a combination of isolation for team bonding and high-level facilities for basketball work. Coaches often value the chance to install offensive sets and defensive schemes away from daily distractions. The warm climate also aids in player conditioning and recovery before the grueling 82-game NBA regular season begins.
Why does this Hawaii trip matter for the Clippers?
For the Los Angeles Clippers, this Hawaiian camp is a key part of building chemistry for the new season. After finishing the last campaign with a loss and a recent form of two wins and three losses in their last five outings, establishing a strong foundation is vital. Training in a concentrated, off-site location allows the coaching staff to evaluate roster depth and experiment with rotations. It's an early test for player fitness and a chance to integrate any new faces into the system.
The preseason game against the Warriors provides an immediate, high-stakes test. Facing a perennial Western Conference contender like Golden State will reveal early strengths and weaknesses. It allows coaches to see how their defensive schemes hold up against elite perimeter shooting and complex motion offense. Players get to compete at game speed, which is very different from practice intensity. Performance in these exhibitions can influence final roster decisions and rotation planning.
What are the Golden State Warriors' plans for Hawaii?
The Golden State Warriors will also conduct their entire 2026-27 training camp in Hawaii during the same five-day window. Their schedule mirrors the Clippers', starting with a Media Day at the Chase Center in San Francisco on September 28. The team will then travel to Oahu, where they are scheduled to practice at the facilities of BYU-Hawaii in Laie. This is not new territory for the Warriors, who have a long history with Hawaiian training camps.
Golden State has traveled to Oahu for camp five previous times: in 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007, and most recently in 2024. Their past sessions have typically been held at the Cannon Activities Center in Laie. This shared location sets the stage for an intense preseason clash. Having both teams in the same general area for a week adds a layer of rivalry to the October 4th game. It turns a simple exhibition into a more competitive showcase, as both squads will be in peak camp form.
What comes next after the Hawaii preseason game?
Following the October 4th game in Honolulu, both the Los Angeles Clippers and Golden State Warriors will return to the mainland to continue their preseason schedules. The Clippers will have several more exhibition games to fine-tune their play before the regular season tip-off in late October. These games are critical for finalizing the rotation, especially for players competing for the final spots on the [squad](/squad).
The data and film gathered in Hawaii will directly inform those later decisions. Coaches will analyze player efficiency, defensive assignments, and how well the team executes in late-clock situations. The goal is to enter the regular season with a clear identity and momentum, leaving the memory of last season's final loss behind. Every practice rep and preseason minute in Hawaii is a step toward that goal, making this trip a significant part of the annual calendar for the Los Angeles Clippers.
