The NBA's Clippers inaugurate Oceanside's Frontwave Arena with a friendly against the Nets – San Diego Union-Tribune

The NBA returns to the San Diego area on Tuesday when the Los Angeles Clippers host the Brooklyn Nets in the first basketball game at the $85 million Frontwave Arena in Oceanside.

The show begins at 7:30 p.m. in the 7,500-seat arena on Hero Drive. It's unclear which NBA stars, if any, will play: James Harden played 17 minutes and San Diego's Norman Powell played 15 in Saturday's loss to the Warriors. Former San Diego State University star Kawhi Leonard continues to rehab from a knee injury. The Nets are playing their first preseason game.

Tuesday promises to be the first of many basketball games to be played at Frontwave. The Clippers' G League affiliate has moved from Ontario to Oceanside; The renamed San Diego Clippers will play their first game in the new arena on November 8th. The G League team will serve as the NBA club's minor league affiliate and taxi squad throughout the season.

Those responsible for the arena hope to be able to hold around 150 events at Frontwave per year. The arena hosted Simone Biles and the Gold Over America Tour for two nights last month. The AVP will build an indoor beach at the arena and play there two consecutive days on October 19th and 20th.

The San Diego Sockers, long-time anchor tenants of the San Diego Sports Arena, have relocated to Frontwave for the 2024-25 season. (Their coach Phil Salvagio is co-owner of the arena.)

The Indoor Football League's San Diego Strike Force announced it will also be moving north next spring.

The Strike Force cited the arena's facilities as the reasons for the move. The arena features an outdoor plaza that seats 1,500 people, 16 suites and three VIP areas.

Will it work for basketball?

The signs point to yes. Tuesday night's NBA exhibition game is sold out.

Originally published: October 7, 2024 at 5:07 p.m