The stat sheet plants the idea that Yanic Konan Niederhauser has done nothing to stand out in the LA Clippers’ two full games without Ivica Zubac. However, Niederhauser has been an excellent screen setter, particularly for James Harden, bringing attention to his name.
These are not just the screens where Niederhauser is urgently moving towards Harden, cementing his feet in the ground, getting his hands in position, then coercing the mismatch; that is what Brook Lopez does.
Niederhauser is evidently making an effort with timing, anticipation, and shoulder involvement, following what he learned from Harden in practice, showing a tremendous difference in his screens versus Lopez's, who rarely rolls to the cup.
James Harden on working with rookie center Yanic on pick & roll post practice ✍️ (via @ashtenjewell) pic.twitter.com/sxNGl2uDLw
— Swish Cultures (@swishcultures_) December 23, 2025
Thus, Niederhauser deserves a round of applause that should not be limited to claps and a pat on the back, but more minutes with the second unit, and hopefully soon with the starters.
The offense will inevitably come to Yanic Konan Niederhauser with more minutes
Numerically, there is a painted narrative of Yanic Konan Niederhauser implying concern over the LA Clippers’ last two wins. He posted three points, four rebounds, and nine fouls in 27 minutes against the Houston Rockets and Portland Trail Blazers.
Furthermore, there are zero flashes from his points and boards, and a fear about his tendency to make unnecessary contact, as he essentially fouls once every three minutes.
On the contrary, Niederhauser just returned from an injury, is adjusting to a different pace, and was put on the spot to defend Alperen Sengun, a top-three center in the NBA, in 15 minutes of what could be considered his official debut; of course, he was going to be in foul trouble.
With the extensive whistles being inevitable, Niederhauser deserves the benefit of the doubt. He will improve, and the process will be quick.
Moreover, while Niederhauser did impress with screens, the Trail Blazers and Rockets were adamant in preventing alley-oops. They were prepared not to get embarrassed by a rookie, and had their interior defense in a specific position to blur Harden’s vision in the roll action.
Harden still tried it, but the passes were inaccurate because every angle for a lob was covered.
That said, Niederhauser will continue to learn how to translate his game from the G-League to the NBA. Still, facing Sengun was a great experience, as was Portland, whose head coach is a former championship center in Tiago Splitter.