35Breakdown
NewsPowered by
Powered by
6. Januar 2026
Logs double-double in starting role
Zubac logged 10 points (1-3 FG, 8-8 FT), 11 rebounds, three assists and one block over 33 minutes during Monday's 103-102 win over Golden State.
Analyse
Zubac returned over the weekend and played with the second unit. Monday, he returned to the starting lineup for the first time since Dec. 20 in the narrow victory. Thanks to superior play from Kawhi Leonard and James Harden, the Clippers went 5-0 while Zubac was sidelined, but his return will help keep the frontcourt secure and increase the team's chances for further success. Zubac is building on a great 2024-25 campaign by averaging 15.0 points, 11.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists over 30 games this season.
6. Januar 2026
Will start Monday
Zubac will start against the Warriors on Monday, Law Murray of The Athletic reports.
Analyse
Zubac returned from a five-game absence due to a Grade 2 left ankle sprain in Saturday's loss to Boston, recording four points (2-6 FG), seven rebounds and one assist across 21 minutes off the bench. While it's unclear if he'll remain on a minutes restriction Monday, the big man will return to the starting five. As a result, Brook Lopez should slide back to the second unit.
4. Januar 2026
Limited to 21 minutes in return
Zubac (ankle) registered four points (2-6 FG), seven rebounds and one assist across 21 minutes off the bench in Saturday's 146-115 loss to the Celtics.
Analyse
Though he made a speedier-than-expected return after he reportedly suffered a Grade 2 left ankle sprain in the Clippers' Dec. 20 win over the Lakers, Zubac operated with a major playing-time restriction following a five-game absence. For the first time since the 2020-21 season, Zubac was deployed off the bench, though he should eventually unseat Brook Lopez on the top unit once he gets fully ramped up. Prior to getting hurt, Zubac had been averaging 32.1 minutes per contest on the season, so after being limited to just 21 minutes Saturday, he could need a handful of games before he resumes seeing his normal allotment of playing time.
4. Januar 2026
Coming off bench in return
Zubac will come off the bench against the Celtics on Saturday, Mark Medina of TheSportingTribune.com reports.
Analyse
Zubac was cleared to return from a five-game absence due to a Grade 2 ankle sprain, well ahead of schedule given the nature of his injury. He won't be rushed back to a full workload and will operate on a minutes restriction off the bench, so Brook Lopez will likely remain in the starting lineup and Yanic Konan Niederhauser should also see some minutes in the rotation.
3. Januar 2026
Cleared to play Saturday
Zubac (ankle) will be available for Saturday's game against the Celtics, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.
Analyse
Zubac is ahead of schedule in his rehab from a Grade 2 left ankle sprain he sustained in a win over the Lakers on Dec. 20 and will suit up Saturday following a five-game absence. The veteran center was just recently cleared to return to on-court activities, so it wouldn't be surprising to see him operate under a minutes restriction against Boston. Still, his return will leave fewer minutes available for the likes of Brook Lopez and Yanic Konan Niederhauser.
2. Januar 2026
Progressing in recovery
Zubac (ankle) has progressed enough in his recovery to participate in on-court activities, Joey Linn of SI.com reports.
Analyse
Zubac suffered a Grade 2 left ankle sprain against the Lakers on Dec. 20. It's an injury that typically takes at least three weeks to recover from, so the veteran center should be re-evaluated by medical staff in mid-January, at which point the Clippers will have a clearer idea of when Zubac can return to the lineup. Brook Lopez will likely continue to start at center for the Clippers for as long as Zubac is on the shelf.