The 48-25 Los Angeles Clippers have officially clinched a spot in the 2015 playoffs, which begin in three weeks. They remain one of the favorites in the Western conference to go far in the postseason. Here's ESPN Los Angeles reporting:

For the first time in franchise history the Clippers qualified for the playoffs for a fourth consecutive season on Friday with a 119-98 win over the Philadelphia 76ers.

Of course, simply qualifying for the playoffs isn’t a goal for the Clippers this season, but it’s a step in the right direction for a historically star-crossed franchise looking to have sustained success.

"The first [goal] is getting in the playoff,” Clippers coach Doc Rivers said. “You’ve just got to get in, and then the second [goal] is if you can get home court it’d be great. But you want to win everything. It would’ve been great to win your division. It’s great to win all that stuff, but at the end of the day it doesn’t mean anything but you’ve got a chance. But the first thing in the West is just getting in the playoffs.”

And, according to the Associated Press: “What, we clinched tonight?” Paul responded when told. “There are a few teams in the league who get to the playoffs and consider it a successful year. For us, we’re playing for more than that. That’s just how it is. I’m not trying to be ungrateful, but we’re playing for a bigger purpose.”