Summary
After the release of the first three episodes ofClipped, the FX/Hulu series continues to portray a mostly accurate depiction of thenotorious Donald Sterling scandal. The series chronicles the bizarre and racist-fueled controversy that made headlines during the NBA Playoffs in late April 2014 as the Los Angeles Clippers battled the Golden State Warriors in the first round of the postseason. A tape of Sterling, who previously owned the Clippers for decades along with his wife Shelly, wasrecorded and released by V. Stiviano, which revealedSterling’s racist comments about having black people attend Clippers games.
Clippedepisodes 1 and 2depict the unusual relationship between the 80-year-old Sterling and the much younger V. Stiviano, who received many expensive financial favors from Sterling despite claiming to be his “assistant”, “archivist”, and strangely, his “right hand arm man” and “silly rabbit.” As depicted inClippedepisode 3,Stiviano seems hyper-focused on fame, image, and Instagram popularity, leading to the obsessive coverage from pop culture tabloids that captured her doing all sorts of weird things, such as rollerblading in a massive reflective visor and letting her pet turtle out for a midnight stroll, both of which actually happened.
All 15 NBA Players In Hulu’s Clipped Show Explained
Clipped features many portrayals of NBA players from various generations and replicates the 2014 playoff matchup between the Warriors & the Clippers.
Doc Rivers' Pregame Press Conference Was Much Longer & Less Certain
Doc tried to keep it light and transparent but the overall tone was less decisive
Doc Rivers opted to face the media after the news of the Donald Sterling leaked tape sent shockwaves throughout the country and the NBA. As depicted inClipped, Rivers notes that his players are used to being told what to do by everyone around them and jokes that the typical point of criticism is around Doc himself, throwing himself under the bus to try and add a moment of relief on an otherwise terrible and confusing day. While Doc Rivers truly did make that joke during the pregame press conference on June 01, 2025, before the Clippers played the Warriors in Game 4, many other points from the conference were omitted fromClipped.
Throughout Doc Rivers' actual pregame press conference, which can be viewedhere, Rivers carries much more a reserved and even uncertain demeanor in the face of many news reporters who are nudging him to make a statement about Sterling. Laurence Fishburne’s powerful and convincing performance as Doc Rivers makes the Clippers head coach seem quite confident and commanding during the press conference, whenin reality, Rivers was naturally full of “I don’t know” responsesgiven the serious and unprecedented circumstances of the developing story.
Shelly Sterling Still Sat Courtside During The Clippers’ Game 4 Playoff Game
Shelly did not sit in the bleachers with fans during Game 4
The biggest true story change inClippedwas the fictional Shelly Sterling’s decision not to sit in her usual courtside seat for the Clippers' Game 4 against the Warriors in Oakland, California. The dramatized version of the game inClippedportrayed Shelly Sterling sitting in a section of the bleachersalong with ordinary fans of both the Warriors and the Clippers. It makes for a moderately humorous moment in the series, as the fictional Shelly has trouble figuring out where to put her bag since she doesn’t have as much room around her seat as she’s used to. She also offers a young fan the chance to meet Blake Griffin.
In reality, this never happened, as the real Shelly Sterling sat courtside without her husband Donald in attendance for the duration of Game 4. The silent protest made by the Clippers team did actually happen, however, with each player coming to the center of the court and removing their Clippers attire to warm up in plain red shirts. Despite the ongoing controversy,Shelly Sterling sat courtside as if it were just another Clippers' playoff game. It’s unclear whether she continued to travel with the team afterward as depicted inClippedalthough that would have been quite unusual considering she continues to defend her husband to this day.
Barack Obama Did Not Call Doc Rivers Before Game 4
Rivers and Obama have spoken in the past but not before Game 4
Doc Rivers requested to have 20 minutes alone on the bus before having to face the press before the start of Game 4, as depicted inClipped. The part in which Rivers was interrupted to accept a call from President Barack Obama was untrue, however, and was never mentioned in ESPN’s 30 for 30 podcastThe Sterling Affairs, whichClippedis based on. Rivers famously missed several calls from Obama following the Celtics' Game 7 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2010 NBA Finals. Obama also commented on the Donald Sterling controversy, stating “I have confidence that the NBA commissioner, Adam Silver, a good man, will address this.”
As An LA Clippers Fan, I’m Disappointed By The Clipped Show’s True Story Changes
FX’s Clipped explores a dramatized version of previous Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling’s racism scandal in 2014 and his downfall.
Clipped
Cast
“Clipped” takes viewers inside the Los Angeles Clippers' organization during one of its most controversial periods. The series follows Coach Doc Rivers, portrayed by Laurence Fishburne, as he navigates the fallout from owner Donald Sterling’s racist remarks. The scandal, captured on tape and broadcast globally, sparks a fierce power struggle involving Sterling, his wife Shelly, and his ambitious assistant V. Stiviano. As Rivers works to keep his team united and focused on winning, the show explores the broader implications of Sterling’s actions and the quest for accountability and change within the sports world.
