Ivica Zubac’s Injury Puts Clippers in a Tough Spot - Now Comes the Real Test
The LA Clippers just took a major hit - and it’s not the kind they can bounce back from overnight. Starting center Ivica Zubac is expected to miss several weeks after suffering a Grade 2 sprain in his left ankle. There’s no firm timetable yet, but the team is already bracing for life without their most reliable big man.
The injury happened late in the first quarter of the Clippers’ win over the Lakers, when Zubac landed awkwardly on LeBron James’ foot after going up for a shot. He limped off immediately and didn’t return - a moment that sent a wave of concern through the Clippers bench and their fanbase alike.
This couldn’t have come at a worse time. The Clippers, sitting at 8-21 even after a win over Houston, are in the middle of a season that’s teetering on the edge. They’ve been searching for consistency, trying to climb out of the Western Conference basement, and now they’ll have to do it without the guy who’s been anchoring the paint on both ends.
Zubac’s Absence Isn’t Just a Loss - It’s a Void
Let’s be clear: replacing Ivica Zubac is not as simple as sliding another big into the lineup. He’s been one of the few constants in a season full of question marks, averaging 15.6 points and 11.1 rebounds per game.
That’s not just production - that’s stability. That’s a presence you can count on every night.
Zubac has quietly become the backbone of the Clippers’ interior game. He sets hard screens, finishes around the rim, and does the dirty work on the glass.
Defensively, he’s their primary rim protector - the one guy who can consistently alter shots and hold his ground in the post. Without him, the Clippers lose their interior identity.
Who Steps In? That’s the Problem
The Clippers don’t have a plug-and-play replacement for Zubac. They’ll likely try a mix of options - maybe go smaller, maybe experiment with different rotations - but none of those solutions offer what Zubac brings.
Playing Collins at the five is a possibility, but that comes with trade-offs. He’s more mobile, sure, but lacks the size and strength to bang with traditional centers over extended minutes.
And while the team could look to increase the workload for other bigs, the reality is that no one else on the roster has shown they can consistently rebound, protect the rim, and provide the kind of interior scoring Zubac delivered nightly. Small-ball lineups with Kawhi Leonard sliding into frontcourt duties might help on offense, but they’ll be vulnerable defensively - especially against teams with dominant bigs.
Pressure Mounts on the Stars
With Zubac out, the Clippers’ margin for error shrinks dramatically. Kawhi Leonard and James Harden are going to have to shoulder even more of the burden - not just scoring, but rebounding, defending, and leading.
There’s no hiding behind depth now. The stars have to carry this team through the storm.
And make no mistake: this is a storm. The Clippers were already trying to dig themselves out of a hole.
Now they’re doing it without their best rebounder and interior defender. Every game without Zubac is going to test their toughness and their ability to adapt.
This Stretch Could Define the Season
The Clippers don’t just need to survive this stretch - they need to stay competitive. If they fall too far behind in the standings before Zubac returns, it may not matter how well he plays when he gets back.
This is where the coaching staff earns its paycheck. Rotations will need to be creative, defensive schemes will have to adjust, and the team’s leaders must set the tone.
The Clippers have the talent to stay afloat - but talent alone won’t cut it. It’s going to take grit, smart basketball, and a team-wide effort to overcome the loss of their anchor in the paint.
Zubac’s injury is more than just a setback. It’s a challenge to the Clippers’ identity, depth, and resilience. How they respond could determine whether this season turns around - or slips away entirely.