The Los Angeles Clippers will be without center Ivica Zubac for several weeks after he suffered a Grade 2 left ankle sprain, according to NBA insider Shams Charania.
Zubac, who has started all 28 games this season, is averaging 15.6 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 2.5 assists in 32 minutes per game. His presence in the paint has been a cornerstone for the Clippers’ defense and rebounding, particularly on the defensive glass with 7.7 boards per game.
This injury comes as the Clippers struggle through a 7-21 start to the 2025-26 season, relying heavily on James Harden and Kawhi Leonard to carry the offense. Harden is producing 25.8 points and 8.2 assists per game, while Leonard is contributing 25.2 points and 6.1 rebounds.
Zubac’s absence is expected to impact the Clippers’ frontcourt depth, forcing backups like Brook Lopez and rookie Yanic Konan Niederhauser to see increased minutes. Lopez is averaging 6 points and 2.8 rebounds in limited action, while Niederhauser has 2 points and 1.3 rebounds per game.
The team has averaged 110.6 points and 41.2 rebounds per game but will need to compensate for Zubac’s absence on both ends of the floor.
