The Los Angeles Clippers have been struggling this season, and their struggles continued to mount as center Ivica Zubac suffered a leg injury in Saturday night’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers.
In the late first quarter of the game, Zubac attempted to make a play under the basket when an injury occurred and did not return, raising immediate concerns about his availability moving forward.
How Long Is Ivica Zubac Expected to Be Sidelined?
The veteran big man was visibly limping as he made his way off the court and headed straight to the locker room. He did not return for the remainder of the game. In his absence, the Clippers performed well. At the same time, the Lakers struggled on offense without their star players, Luka Dončić, who suffered a left leg contusion and did not return after halftime, and Austin Reaves, who also missed the entire game due to injury.
The Clippers secured a dominating 103-88 victory. They are in 13th position in the Western Conference, and with Zubac sidelined due to injury, the defense might face significant problems as the season progresses.
Recently, NBA on Prime reporter Chris Haynes provided a definitive update. He took to X and shared that Zubac will be out of action for three weeks as the centre suffered a Grade 2 left ankle sprain.
“Los Angeles Clippers center Ivica Zubac will be sidelined for 3 weeks after suffering a Grade 2 left ankle sprain, league sources tell me.” Haynes wrote.
The diagnosis delivers a significant blow to a Clippers team that has already struggled to find consistency this season. Zubac has been one of the few stabilizing forces in the lineup, anchoring the defense.
Before the injury, Zubac had been putting together another strong campaign. He entered Saturday averaging over 15 points and 11 rebounds per game while shooting better than 60 percent from the field. He has been great in scoring points, and he has grabbed double-digit rebounds in multiple outings, showcasing his growing offensive confidence.
Against the Lakers, Zubac managed just 11 minutes of action, finishing with five points and two rebounds before being forced out.
The three-week timeline means Zubac is expected to miss a notable stretch of games, potentially impacting the Clippers’ crucial games. His recovery will be closely monitored, especially given the physical demands placed on big men returning from ankle injuries.
As for the Clippers, they are the 13th seed in the Western Conference and have managed to win just seven games, suffering 21 defeats.
