The Los Angeles Clippers walked away with a 102-98 win over the Lakers-a hard-fought, gritty victory that should’ve had their fanbase buzzing. But instead of celebration, the conversation quickly shifted from what happened on the scoreboard to what happened on the floor-literally.
Late in the game, Clippers center Ivica Zubac went down with an apparent injury. The moment, caught on video, shows Zubac lying on the hardwood, clearly in discomfort.
But what really caught fans off guard wasn’t just the injury-it was the reaction, or lack thereof, from his teammates. Not a single Clippers player on the floor moved to help him up.
Instead, it was Brook Lopez-yes, from the opposing bench-who stepped in to offer assistance. Luka Dončić also made his way over to check on Zubac.
Meanwhile, the Clippers on the court stood still.
That clip quickly made the rounds online, and fans didn’t hold back. One post summed up the frustration: “We have ZERO team chemistry!” That sentiment echoed through the replies and retweets, with many pointing to what they see as a deeper issue within the Clippers locker room.
This isn’t the first time team chemistry has been called into question in L.A. The Clippers have been under the microscope ever since the Chris Paul situation became public, and more recently, there have been whispers about Kawhi Leonard and James Harden reportedly being “tired” of Paul. Whether those reports hold water or not, the optics of this moment didn’t help.
Fans immediately drew connections between the Zubac incident and the ongoing narrative surrounding Paul. One user wrote, “CP would’ve helped him,” while another added, “And Chris Paul is the problem,” dripping with sarcasm. Others speculated about Zubac’s relationship with the rest of the team, referencing his attendance at Paul’s party as a possible reason for the lack of support.
It’s worth noting that this Clippers team has been through a lot-roster changes, injuries, and the pressure of high expectations. But moments like this one don’t just disappear.
They linger. They get replayed, reposted, and dissected by fans and analysts alike.
And in a league where chemistry can make or break a title run, this kind of body language matters.
For now, the Clippers have a win in the column, but questions about unity and trust within the squad are once again front and center. As the season rolls on, all eyes will be on how this team responds-not just in the box score, but in the little moments that reveal who’s really got whose back.