Los Angeles Clippers big man Ivica Zubac will sit out several weeks due to a Grade 2 left ankle sprain, team sources told ESPN’s Shams Charania on Sunday. The 7-footer is expected to miss at least three weeks, according to NBA on Prime’s Chris Haynes.
Ivica Zubac Sprained Ankle Against Lakers
Zubac, 28, exited in the first half of Saturday’s 103-88 win over the Los Angeles Lakers and did not return. He fell to the court in the first quarter and immediately hobbled to the locker room for evaluation.
Brook Lopez substituted in for Zubac, who finished with five points and two rebounds in 11 minutes. The victory over the Lakers ended the Clippers’ five-game losing streak and earned them their seventh win of the season.
Before the game, Lakers center Jaxson Hayes called Zubac an underrated big man.
“Zu is a dog, man,” Hayes said after the Lakers’ shootaround Saturday morning. “He’s, honestly, I feel like one of the most slept-on bigs in the league, man. If you play him, you know he’s like that. Zu has been like that for years.”
IVICA ZUBAC IS INJURED,
CLIPPERS SEASON IN TOTAL JEAPORDY NOW, pic.twitter.com/klT3g12GR2
— The Sports Casual (@sportscasual67) December 21, 2025
Although the Clippers signed backup center Brook Lopez over the summer, the 18-year veteran has struggled to match his production from previous seasons.
Lopez, 37, is averaging career lows of 6.0 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 14.7 minutes per game through 21 games off the bench with the Clippers. He’s also shooting a career-worst 40.5% from the floor.
However, Lopez stepped up on Saturday, recording 11 points and two blocks in a season-high 25 minutes.
Zubac Dominated Last Season
Zubac had a breakout year last season, averaging career highs of 16.8 points, 12.6 rebounds, 2,7 assists, and 32.8 minutes per game in 80 games (all starts) with L.A.
In the Clippers’ 119-117 road loss to the Phoenix Suns on March 4, he scored a career-high 35 points on 15-of-19 (78.9%) shooting from the field and 5-for-6 (83.3%) from the foul line.
According to Basketball Reference, Zubac led the league last season in total rebounds (1,010), offensive rebounds (300), and defensive boards (710).
Zubac was a finalist for Most Improved Player, and he earned his first NBA All-Defensive Second-Team selection.
Per Spotrac, Zubac is currently signed to a three-year, $58.65 million contract. He’s earning 18.1 million this season, $19.5 million in 2026-27, and $29.9 million in 2027-28.
Through 28 games (all starts) this season, Zubac is averaging 15.6 points, 11.1 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 32 minutes per outing while shooting 60.9% from the floor and 71.3% from the free throw line.
