Ivica Zubac downplays head injury after elbow hit

Mar 20, 2026 10:46 AM

Ivica Zubac of the Indiana Pacers was forced to leave Wednesday’s loss in the fourth quarter after taking an elbow to the head from Donovan Clingan on a lob attempt, as Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star writes.

The hit resulted in noticeable swelling on the right side of Zubac’s head, but the big man said afterward that the injury wasn’t as serious as it looked and didn’t require concussion protocol.

“It’s not like that,” the Croatian center said. “I just got popped in the head and it swelled up, but no headaches or anything. I feel good.“

Zubac has played 10 seasons for the Clippers, Lakers and Pacers. He has averaged 10.5 points and 8.3 rebounds in 632 regular-season games.