The Los Angeles Clippers delivered a statement win on Sunday night, dismantling the Charlotte Hornets 123-88 at the Intuit Dome. While James Harden put on a show with 31 points and 10 assists, it was the continued emergence Ivica Zubac that stood out as a key storyline in the victory.
Zubac recorded his 32nd double-double of the season, finishing with 17 points and 14 rebounds in another display of his evolving role. His consistency in the paint, ability to handle double teams, and growing trust from teammates have made him essential in the postseason aspirations of the team.
Zubac Grows and Gains Trust From Teammates
Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue acknowledged the development of Zubac, highlighting how the team now looks to him as a legitimate offensive option.
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“He’s gotten better each year with double teams, positioning, and the players trust him now,” Lue said. “You can draw plays for Zu in close games.”
That trust was evident on Sunday night. Charlotte had no answer for Zubac in the paint. When they sent extra defenders, he remained composed by finding open teammates or finishing efficiently.
“I’ve been seeing a lot of doubles lately,” Zubac said postgame. “I don’t remember the last time a team didn’t double me in the post, so it’s all about being patient and making the right pass. It doesn’t have to be an assist every time. It’s all about finding the open man.”
Former Clippers assistant and current team consultant Brian Shaw has watched Zubac evolve from his early days with the Lakers.
“He’s the most confident he’s ever been,” Shaw said. “They know when he’s in the paint, he has a high percentage chance of making it.”
A Championship Mindset as Playoffs Approach
With only 14 games remaining in the regular season, the Clippers know they have little margin for error. Currently jostling for playoff positioning, the focus is on controlling what they can.
“We can’t worry about teams ahead of us or behind us,” Lue said. “We just have to continue playing good basketball and keeping our guys healthy. Whatever we have to do to make the playoffs, we’re going to do it.”
That mentality was evident in how the Clippers approached the game on Sunday. They jumped out to an early lead and never let up, allowing key starters like Kawhi Leonard to rest late in the game. Leonard has been effective at leading the second unit.
The performance of Harden was another bright spot. The veteran guard was in complete control, orchestrating the offense and punishing the Charlotte defense with his scoring and passing. His ability to play alongside stars like Leonard while also empowering Zubac in the paint has made their offense even more dangerous.
Meanwhile, recent addition Ben Simmons continues to acclimate. He is already seeing the benefits of playing alongside elite talent.
“They’re weapons,” Simmons said of Leonard and Harden. “They’re certain weapons every team doesn’t have. It’s just playing with them, figuring out where to be, and just reading how they play. The more I watch film, the more I’m out there getting more reps, the easier it’ll be.”
Looking Ahead
The Clippers now shift their focus to a major test against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday. Lue, who won a championship with Cleveland in 2016, did not hold back in praising his next opponent.
“They’re the best team in the NBA right now,” he said.
With Zubac playing at an elite level, Harden in control, and Leonard anchoring the squad, the Clippers are rounding into form at the right time. If they continue to trust the process and take advantage of the interior presence of Zubac, their playoff push could gain even more momentum in the coming weeks.
