As per the usual, things are as coming right down to the wire in the Western Conference standings leading up to the playoffs. The LA Clippers could still finish as high as the third seed or as low as the eighth seed, and who they face off with in the postseason is completely up in the air.
But the fact that the Clippers are here and have this opportunity to obtain home court advantage for the first round is simply incredible. No one expected LA to every bit as good as they were last year or better, and yet here we are. The credit for this team's overachieving can and should be placed on the shoulders of several, but one we cannot forget about is Ivica Zubac.
Clippers fans have watched Zubac dominate all year long, putting up career numbers and altogether achieving the best overall season of his professional career. The year-over-year improvement throughout Zu's time in the NBA has been rather stunning, and this season is simply the cherry on top. As of this writing, he is averaging 16.7 points, 12.6 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 0.7 steals, all career-highs for the big man.
"It felt great. I always wanted to get one" - Ivica Zubac on getting his first triple-double pic.twitter.com/pCtqKm7ndz
— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) April 10, 2025
Zubac finished with a triple double against the Rockets
Those who have watched Zubac for a long time have known that his flashes of greatness were always indicators of the potential to grow into a spectacular player one day. Now, we are seeing that potential come to life as he anchors the Clippers on the interior and has them poised to grab home court for at least one playoff series.
The latest performance from number 40 was just another reminder of how far he has come, and of the kind of overall impact he brings to the game. Against the Houston Rockets on Wednesday, Zubac recorded his first career triple double with 20 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists. It came at the perfect time, as LA fended off the second-seeded Houston to stay in the race for a top-three spot.
Going forward, Zubac is going to continue to be a rock for this team. The Clippers will go as their stars go in the playoffs, and we can comfortably say Big Zu is now part of that group of players as his talents only continue to grow and evolve.