Peak Zubac! Just How Good Is the Clippers' 28-Year-Old Big Man?

Zubac’s Birthday Bash: A Career Night Against Cleveland

On his 28th birthday, Ivica Zubac didn’t just celebrate—he dominated.

The Los Angeles Clippers took down the Cleveland Cavaliers in a 132-119 victory, and while Kawhi Leonard (33 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists) and James Harden (22 points, 9 assists, 0 turnovers) did their thing, the real story of the night was Zubac’s monstrous performance.

• 35 minutes

  

• 13-of-18 shooting

• 28 points, 20 rebounds (8 offensive)

• Complete annihilation of Cleveland’s “Twin Towers”

Zubac didn’t just outplay Jarrett Allen—he bullied him.

Over the 10 minutes and 21 seconds they matched up, Zubac went 7-for-8 from the field and dropped 15 points. By himself, he nearly matched Cleveland’s total team rebounding (Cavs: 29 rebounds, Zubac: 20 rebounds).

Let’s be clear: this wasn’t just a good game. This was one of the best performances of Zubac’s entire career. And the scariest part? This isn’t an outlier anymore.

A Breakout Year: The Evolution of Zubac

Before this season, Zubac had only recorded four 20+ point, 15+ rebound games in his career. He had just one 20-20 game.

But this year?

• 13 games of 20+ points and 15+ rebounds

• 3 games of 20+ points and 20+ rebounds

• Career highs across the board

Here’s how 2022-23 Zubac compares to this season’s Zubac:

Since the All-Star break, he’s been even better:

• 20.5 PPG

• 12.4 RPG

• 2.8 APG

• 66.2 FG%

This isn’t just improvement—it’s a transformation.

Zubac has gone from a solid role player to a foundational piece for a Clippers team with championship aspirations.

Why Is Zubac So Good This Year?

Zubac has always had clear strengths and weaknesses.

Weaknesses:

• Lacks mobility—struggles defending on the perimeter.

• Limited rim protection—not a shot-blocking force like Gobert or Lopez.

• No outside shot—won’t stretch the floor.

Strengths:

• Elite touch inside—his floater is automatic.

• Physical dominance in the paint—uses his frame to seal defenders.

• Rebounding machine—especially on the offensive glass.

So what changed?

1. James Harden, the “Center Amplifier”

Harden has made every center he’s played with look like a star.

• Clint Capela went from a raw project to an elite lob threat in Houston.

• Joel Embiid unlocked an MVP season playing next to him in Philly.

• Now, Zubac is reaping the benefits.

With Harden feeding him easy buckets, Zubac has become more efficient and more involved.

The numbers back it up:

• When Zubac and Harden share the court, the Clippers outscore opponents by 8.6 points per 100 possessions.

• When Zubac is off the court, the Clippers get outscored by 4.5 points per 100 possessions.

2. Increased Role in the Offense

For the first time in his career, Zubac is being treated like a legitimate offensive weapon.

He’s getting:

• More touches in the post

• More pick-and-roll opportunities

• More minutes (career-high 32.6 MPG)

And he’s delivering.

Even Harden himself has acknowledged Zubac’s rise:

“Zubac is one of the most underrated players in the league.”

Zubac’s response?

“I’ve been thinking that for a long time. I’m glad someone else finally said it.”

The Clippers’ Secret Weapon?

When fully healthy, the Clippers’ best five-man lineup is:

• James Harden

• Ivica Zubac

• Kawhi Leonard

• Norman Powell

• Terance Mann

When this unit is on the floor, the Clippers:

• Score 126.5 points per 100 possessions

• Outscore opponents by 24.7 points per 100 possessions

In other words: it’s absolute destruction.

The Clippers might not be as flashy as Denver or as young as OKC, but they can hang with anyone—and Zubac is a huge reason why.

How Far Can Zubac Take the Clippers?

The biggest X-factor for the Clippers heading into the playoffs isn’t Kawhi or Harden—it’s health.

• Paul George has missed time.

• Kawhi Leonard has been in and out.

• The supporting cast has dealt with injuries all season.

But one constant has been Zubac.

In a Western Conference loaded with elite big men—Jokic, Gobert, Davis, Wembanyama—the Clippers need a reliable presence inside.

Right now, Zubac is that guy.

He’s not just a role player anymore. He’s the key to the Clippers' championship hopes.

So the question isn’t how good Zubac is right now—that answer is obvious.

The real question is:

How much better can he still become?