Brook Lopez scored 31 points and drilled nine threes against the Portland Trail Blazers, followed by impactful minutes in wins over the Detroit Pistons and Sacramento Kings, and suddenly the LA Clippers are confronting an uncomfortable reality: the team looks significantly better without Ivica Zubac. So, what happens when he returns from his ankle sprain?
What started as a temporary injury absence has turned into a five-game winning streak, a revived offense, and a version of Kawhi Leonard and James Harden that looks dangerous again.
During the stretch without Zubac, the Clippers are averaging over 118 points per game. The offense is flowing, Harden has clean driving lanes, and role players are getting open looks.
Additionally, Kawhi Leonard dropping 55 points didn't happen by accident.
The 'Ewing Theory' strikes again
Bill Simmons' famous 'Ewing Theory' states that sometimes a team can be better without its best player because it forces them to play a more balanced, team-oriented style. The classic example is the 1999 New York Knicks reaching the Finals after Patrick Ewing got injured because they stopped forcing everything through him (they probably weren't better without him). Yet the term still holds weight, and the theory is seen throughout a multitude of sports.
The LA Clippers are living proof right now. Ivica Zubac was their most consistent big man, averaging a double-double, and providing reliable rim protection. Yet the moment he went down with an ankle sprain, the team started winning.
Zubac is a productive traditional center. He rebounds, protects the rim, and puts up double-doubles. But he also cannot shoot outside the paint, which creates a fatal problem when your offense is built around two isolation superstars who need space to operate.
When Zubac is on the floor, defenders ignore him. They load the paint, shrink driving lanes, and force Kawhi Leonard and James Harden into crowds and contested jumpers.
On the contrary, Brook Lopez doesn’t need touches. He stands 25 feet from the rim and dares defenses to respect him, and they kinda have to. That gravity alone has reshaped the Clippers’ offense.
The Clippers' spacing defines the entire story
The fit with Brook Lopez is the far more important theme than him outplaying Ivica Zubac.
Kawhi Leonard and James Harden are ISO-heavy players. When Zubac is on the floor, he camps in the dunker spot because he can't shoot beyond five feet. Defenders sag off him, pack the paint, and force the LA Clippers to beat them with contested jumpers.
Leonard and Harden are elite shot creators who punish defenses when the floor is spaced. With Lopez pulling a defender out of the paint, suddenly there's room to breathe.
Against the Detroit Pistons, Leonard was unstoppable precisely because of Lopez. The two-time champion got to his spots effortlessly, scored 55 points on ridiculous efficiency, and looked like the superstar who won two Finals MVPs.
Zubac’s expanded offensive role earlier this season only made the problem worse. More post touches slowed the pace, disrupted the rhythm, and turned the Clippers into a half-court slog; Lopez strips all of that away and lets the stars breathe.
Brook Lopez is surprisingly the better defender
The most surprising revelation during this streak? Brook Lopez is playing better defense than Ivica Zubac was all season. He's contesting shots at the rim, getting blocks, and showing defensive intensity that Zubac lacked.
Lopez's foot speed is comparable to Zubac's, but his effort level is noticeably higher. He's challenging everything instead of complaining to refs about no-calls. Against the Detroit Pistons, he provided solid rim protection while also switching onto perimeter players when needed. That versatility is crucial for a team trying to play modern NBA defense.
What Happens When Ivica Zubac Returns?
Ivica Zubac is expected back in mid-January, which creates a fascinating dilemma for Tyronn Lue. Does he go back to starting Zubac and risk disrupting the chemistry that's powered a five-game winning streak? Or does he keep Brook Lopez in the starting lineup and bring Zubac off the bench in a reduced role?
The smart move is bringing Zubac off the bench for 20-25 minutes per game in specific matchups. He must be surrounded with three-point shooters like Nicolas Batum, Derrick Jones Jr., and Kobe Sanders, while playing heavily against teams with traditional big men who can't punish his lack of perimeter defense.
More importantly, Zubac and Kris Dunn do not need to share the floor. Their combination was particularly brutal earlier this season, with zero spacing and defenders camping in the paint.
Maybe trading Zubac while his value is high could be the solution, as LA could get a solid player along with a first-round pick back. While that seems extreme, it's worth noting that the LA Clippers' ceiling appears higher with Lopez starting. If a team offers significant assets for the star big man, the front office should at least listen.
Brook Lopez has reminded the world that he is still elite
Remember: Brook Lopez started 80 games for a playoff team last season. He's been considered a good defender for years, and is still the all-time leading scorer for the Brooklyn Nets.
Now that he's in a legitimate role and launching threes with confidence, the LA Clippers are seeing vintage Lopez. The guy who spaces the floor, protects the rim, and doesn't need touches to be effective. This is exactly what the Clippers needed all along: A stretch five who unlocks Kawhi Leonard and James Harden without demanding his own offense.
The 'Ewing Theory' didn’t just show up, it might have kicked the door down.
When Ivica Zubac returns, he's gonna find a very different team than the one he left. Whether he accepts a change or forces his way back into the starting lineup will determine if the Clippers can sustain this momentum or revert to the dysfunctional mess they were in November.