INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — The Los Angeles Clippers will honor Jerry West with an empty seat at their new arena and a court decal with the Hall of Famer's initials this season.
He served as a consultant for the franchise from 2017 until his death in June at age 86.
The team will debut the decal and memorial seat, as well as a video tribute for West, at their season opener on Wednesday night against the Phoenix Suns at Intuit Dome.
“Jerry was a lifelong learner and teacher who inspired all of us with his intellect, enthusiasm and love for the game,” team chairman Steve Ballmer said in a statement. ”He gave his whole heart to the NBA. We think about him and we miss him every day.”
The Clippers also left an empty seat for West in their war room during the NBA draft in June.
Earlier this month, West became the first three-time inductee to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame when he was inducted as a contributor, honoring his front office contributions to the Clippers, Golden State Warriors, Memphis Grizzlies and Los Angeles Lakers.
The Lakers also are honoring West this season with a uniform band featuring his No. 44. He played his entire 14-year NBA career with them and was an All-Star every year.
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FILE - Jerry West watches warm ups prior to an NBA basketball game between the Los Angeles Clippers and Sacramento Kings in Los Angeles, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2020. (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo, File)
BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Peyton Krebs and Ryan McLeod scored on consecutive shots 83 seconds apart in the second period, and the Buffalo Sabres hung on for a 4-2 win over the Dallas Stars after allowing two goals in the final 4:36 on Tuesday night.
Tage Thompson's goal put Buffalo up 3-0 at the 4:17 mark of the third period. Alex Tuch added an empty-netter with 11 second left. Defenseman Owen Power matched a career high with three assists and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 30 saves.
Jake Oettinger stopped 21 shots in losing his first start of the season. Thomas Harley spoiled Luukkonen's shutout bid on a shot that tipped off the stick of Buffalo forward Jason Zucker, and Tyler Seguin scored with 2:11 left with Oettinger pulled for an extra attacker.
Stars: Dallas was, perhaps, riding too high coming off a 4-1 over the Oilers, who eliminated the Stars in the Western Conference finals last spring. Oettinger was sharp, while the team in front of him had too many breakdowns.
Sabres: By improving to 3-1-1 in its past five, this is the type of victory that begins validating the message and structure coach Lindy Ruff has preached since arriving for his second stint in Buffalo.
Luukkonen squaring up at the top of his crease to stop Miro Heiskanen’s blast from the top of the left circle, and then getting across to his left to prevent Jason Robertson from jamming in the rebound to preserve a 2-0 lead 1:35 into the third period.
2 of 43 — The teams’ combined power-play production this season. Buffalo went 0 for 1 to drop to 0 of 22, while Dallas went 0 for 3 to drop to 2 of 21.
The Stars close a two-game swing at Boston on Thursday. The Sabres continue four-game homestand hosting Detroit on Saturday.
AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl
Buffalo Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram (4) shoots the puck wide past Dallas Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger (29) during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
Dallas Stars center Sam Steel and Buffalo Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram (4) collide during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
Dallas Stars center Colin Blackwell (15) carries the puck into the zone during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Buffalo Sabres, Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen looks for the puck in traffic during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Dallas Stars, Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
Buffalo Sabres center Peyton Krebs (19) celebrates his goal during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Dallas Stars, Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
