Nuggets Make Odd Accusation Against Clippers Amid Tense NBA Playoff Series
Nuggets Make Odd Accusation Against Clippers Amid Tense NBA Playoff Series

So, here’s something you don’t hear every day.
The Nuggets’ coach actually called out the Clippers for, get this, pumping in fake crowd noise during their game. It’s not exactly a new trick in sports, but still, accusing another team of it? That’s bold. You could almost hear the skepticism in his voice during the post-game press conference. He didn’t hold back, either.
“They have the crowd towards our bench, it’s like a high school crowd which is actually really cool,” said interim Nuggets coach David Adelman. “And the other thing is they pump sound in that place. That place is so loud … That building, it’s very loud whether the crowd is cheering or not … [But] it is an amazing place by the way.”
David Adelman on the Clippers Intuit Dome:
“They have the crowd towards our bench, it’s like a high school crowd which is actually really cool. The other thing is they pump sound in the place. That place is so loud.”
“It’s very loud whether the crowd is cheering or not.” pic.twitter.com/BJcQzyK4aU
— DNVR Nuggets (@DNVR_Nuggets) April 23, 2025
According to him, the volume and energy in the arena just didn’t match what you’d expect from the real crowd size. Now, whether or not the Clippers actually did it is up for debate. But, honestly, who hasn’t wondered if some of those cheers sound a little too enthusiastic sometimes?
General Context
The LA Clippers’ new Intuit Dome has shaken up what it means to watch a basketball game in person. The place is packed with advanced features, including a seating layout that practically drops fans into the action.
That’s made for some wild, edge-of-your-seat moments, especially when games get close. There’s been a lot of chatter about just how intense the vibe is—visiting coaches have even hinted that the crowd noise feels, let’s say, a bit enhanced.
- Venue: Intuit Dome, Los Angeles
- First NBA Playoff Appearance: This postseason is the arena’s first time hosting playoff games.
- Home Team: LA Clippers
- Atmosphere: Fans are right on top of the court, and the sound? It’s a hot topic among pretty much everyone.
Artificial Crowd Noise Debate
Here’s where things get spicy: some folks are convinced that the energy in the building isn’t all-natural. After one particularly raucous night, an opposing coach more or less accused the arena of pumping up the volume with electronic noise.
The NBA officially frowns on this kind of thing, but the rules are, well, a bit fuzzy. Back in the 2020 bubble, artificial noise was allowed since there weren’t any fans—now, with people back in the seats, it’s not exactly clear what’s fair game.
Element | Details |
---|---|
Crowd Engagement | Fans are way closer than usual, which definitely amps up the energy. |
Noise Levels | People keep pointing out that the decibel levels seem wild, even when the live reaction doesn’t quite match. |
NBA Policy | Official stance on fake noise? Still kind of a gray area unless it’s a special situation. |
Social Media Reactions
Scroll through TikTok or just about any social feed, and you’ll see fans and creators buzzing about the Intuit Dome’s atmosphere. Some folks post clips comparing the noise to other arenas; others just marvel at how loud it gets inside.
The whole thing’s turned into a running debate about whether LA’s home court advantage is the real deal—or a bit of audio trickery.

A longtime sports reporter, Carlos Garcia has written about some of the biggest and most notable athletic events of the last 5 years. He has been credentialed to cover MLS, NBA and MLB games all over the United States. His work has been published on Fox Sports, Bleacher Report, AOL and the Washington Post.