In under 60 minutes, the LA Clippers host the Boston Celtics at the Intuit Dome. This battle is a test for LA, which is competing for its seventh consecutive win, and it features Ivica Zubac, the Croatian-born center who made an absurdly fast recovery from a grade-two ankle sprain.
However, this is not the norm for the veteran big man; head coach Tyronn Lue announced that Zubac will come off the bench. It was a player-made decision that showcased nothing but selflessness and a team-first mentality.
Ivica Zubac volunteered to come off the bench because the Clippers have found a good rhythm for the first time all season.
— Joey Linn (@joeylinn_) January 4, 2026
Ty Lue said Zu is a starter on this team, but is sacrificing to help them keep their momentum. https://t.co/TyvOHz7U61
Big Zu’s goal tonight is to keep the momentum alive. Just like every member of Clipper Nation and every fan around the world, LA is the hottest team in basketball, and he does not want to disrupt what is already working.
His minutes count was not mentioned, but he will likely be restricted solely because this is his first game back. Nonetheless, Zubac quickly proved why the fan base loves him as much as they do.
Ivica Zubac, coming off the bench, comes with an inevitable downside
If Ivica Zubac is in the second unit for the first time since 2020-21 and Brook Lopez remains the starter, Yanic Konan Niederhauser will end up back in the reserve rotation. He had an exceptional run, crushed the offensive glass, and constructed a highlight reel of just dunks, but unfortunately, he is the odd man out.
The Clippers have no business with three centers in the active rotation unless Tyronn Lue runs with the twin towers and allows Lopez and Zubac to play side by side. This could be a success or a disaster that the Boston Celtics can immediately pick apart.
Moreover, the news of Zubac off the bench likely caught Joe Mazzulla off guard. Shams Charania announced the big man's return midday yesterday, yet the Celtics likely planned for him to start. There was no sign of a change, like so, arising.
Thus, it was wise of Lue to make this announcement just before tip-off. The Celtics will inevitably be in scramble mode trying to figure Lopez out at the last minute, as the last seven teams have been unable to.
That said, it will be unusual to see Zubac in a different role, yet it will be a sight to see, as he made a sacrifice for the team. He was not asked to do so, which implies how he put the team before himself.