Clippers' Nic Batum Reflects on 'Weirdest' Season

Veteran forward opens up about the team's struggles and turnaround in 2025-26 campaign.

Mar. 29, 2026 at 12:51am

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Clippers forward Nic Batum has been in the NBA for 18 years, but he says the 2025-26 season has been the 'weirdest' he's ever been a part of. After starting the season 6-21, the Clippers have turned things around and are now 32-15 in their last 47 games. Batum credits the team's extended practice time during the NBA Cup in Las Vegas for helping them reset and correct the flaws that led to their poor start.

Why it matters

The Clippers' dramatic turnaround has been one of the biggest stories of the NBA season, and Batum's candid comments provide insight into how the team weathered the early-season struggles and found their footing.

The details

Batum says the Clippers took advantage of the extended practice time during the NBA Cup in Las Vegas, having two to three 2-hour sessions that allowed them to 'reset' and work on correcting the issues that led to their 6-21 start. He also praised head coach Tyronn Lue for never panicking and maintaining confidence in the team, even during the rough patch.

  • The Clippers started the 2025-26 season 6-21.
  • The Clippers are 32-15 in their last 47 games.
  • The Clippers were eliminated from the NBA Cup in Las Vegas.

The players

Nic Batum

An 18-year NBA veteran and forward for the Los Angeles Clippers.

Kawhi Leonard

The Clippers' star forward who hit a game-winning shot against the Indiana Pacers.

Tyronn Lue

The head coach of the Los Angeles Clippers.

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What they’re saying

“I've been in this league for 18 years, this is the weirdest season I've been part of. It's been a long season. Some up and downs. But yeah, it's been fun actually.”

— Nic Batum, Clippers Forward

“We were playing no more than two games in five days. We had time to practice. Something we don't really have during the season. So, we had two or three sessions of two hours, and it was like a complete reset. It was like a new training camp.”

— Nic Batum, Clippers Forward

“One thing I liked about this coach is he never panicked. Never. We're in a very, very, very bad spot. But he's always very calm, very poised. We're going to be OK. We're going to find a way, and sometimes it's just one game. You need one game, and we had one game.”

— Nic Batum, Clippers Forward

What’s next

The Clippers will look to continue their strong play and secure a playoff spot in the Western Conference.

The takeaway

Nic Batum's candid comments provide a glimpse into the Clippers' resilience and the leadership of coach Tyronn Lue, who kept the team focused despite their early-season struggles. The extended practice time during the NBA Cup proved crucial in helping the Clippers turn their season around.