Steve Ballmer Finally Speaks — But the Clippers' Nightmare Is Far From Over

Nearly two weeks after the NBA dropped its historic punishment on the LA Clippers, Steve Ballmer broke his silence with a statement that landed somewhere between apology and deflection. "I want to apologize to our fans, employees, and my fellow NBA team owners for the distraction and distress this matter has caused, for which I accept responsibility as principal owner," Ballmer wrote on his personal Twitter page. The hosts of Locked On NBA Game Night — Danny Cunningham and a co-host — were not impressed. "He is accepting responsibility for the distraction, not for what he actually did," Cunningham said. His co-host was blunter: "Steve Ballmer lied to everyone."

What Ballmer Actually Said — and Didn't Say

The statement itself is carefully worded. Ballmer expresses "sincere regrets" for a "very difficult time" and says the Clippers are "complying with the penalties assessed by the league, have paid the fine and are moving forward." But he also notes "there are still disagreements concerning the findings in the report." That caveat matters. The hosts read it as a refusal to admit wrongdoing — an acknowledgment that the situation became messy, not that Ballmer and his front office knowingly broke the rules.