The Los Angeles Clippers may have walked away with a 102-98 win over the Lakers, but the final score wasn’t the only thing making headlines. In what should’ve been a feel-good night for a team that’s been trying to find its rhythm, an unsettling moment on the court sparked a wave of concern-not just for Ivica Zubac’s health, but for the Clippers’ chemistry as a whole.
Late in the game, Zubac went down with an apparent injury. As he lay on the floor, visibly struggling to get up, something unusual-and frankly, uncomfortable-played out.
None of the Clippers players on the court moved to help him. Instead, it was Brook Lopez, a player not even on the Clippers’ roster, who left the bench to assist Zubac.
Luka Dončić, also not a Clipper, walked over to check on him. The Clippers on the floor?
They stayed put.
That moment, caught on video and quickly circulated on social media, lit a fire under an already simmering conversation about the team’s internal dynamics. Fans didn’t hold back.
The video prompted a flood of reactions, many pointing to what they saw as a lack of unity and support among the players. One post summed up the mood bluntly: “We have ZERO team chemistry!”
This isn’t the first time the Clippers have found themselves under the microscope this season. Ever since the Chris Paul situation came to light, the team has been navigating its way through a string of controversies. Reports have surfaced suggesting that key players like Kawhi Leonard and James Harden may be growing weary of Paul’s presence, fueling speculation about locker room tension.
Now, with the Zubac incident, fans are drawing lines between what they saw on the floor and the bigger picture. Some are suggesting this is just the latest symptom of a fractured locker room.
Others are questioning the leadership dynamics altogether. One fan wrote, “CP would’ve helped him,” while another quipped, “And Chris Paul is the problem,” clearly with a heavy dose of sarcasm.
The reactions weren’t just about finger-pointing, though. Some fans expressed genuine concern for Zubac, hoping the injury isn’t serious. But the overarching sentiment was frustration-frustration that a team loaded with talent continues to be weighed down by what appears to be a lack of cohesion.
For a squad with championship aspirations, these kinds of moments matter. They’re not just about optics-they’re about trust, accountability, and the kind of culture that wins games in April, May, and June.
The Clippers have the pieces. But if they can’t come together when one of their own is on the floor in pain, it raises a fair question: how will they come together when the stakes are even higher?
The next few games will be telling-not just for how Zubac bounces back physically, but for how the team responds emotionally. Chemistry isn’t built overnight, but it can start with something as simple as picking up your teammate.