Good news for the Clippers‘ faithful. Center Ivica Zubac is available to return to action. He’ll play in their home game against the Boston Celtics on Saturday, January 3, 2026. This is a pretty quick turnaround for him, actually.
Zubac’s Swift Comeback from Ankle Sprain
Zubac had been out with a Grade 2 left ankle sprain. He picked up that injury on December 20, 2025. That was during a win over the Los Angeles Lakers. In that game, Zubac played just 11 minutes. He put up five points and two rebounds before having to leave early. Clippers sources initially ruled him out for an indefinite period.
He actually went down in a heap. It was late in the first quarter. He hobbled right back to the locker room. Brook Lopez had to sub in for him. Sources later confirmed it was a Grade 2 sprain. They said he would miss “several weeks.” So this return is ahead of schedule. Fans will be really happy about that.
A Much-Needed Boost for the Clippers
Zubac’s return is huge. He’s been a critical part of the Clippers’ lineup. He started all 28 games he played this season. Before his injury, he was averaging 15.6 points and 11.1 rebounds per game. Those are big numbers for a center. Lakers big man Jaxson Hayes even called him “a dog.” Hayes said Zubac is “one of the most slept-on bigs in the league,” and he’s been like that for years. That’s high praise from an opponent, right?
When Zubac got hurt, the Clippers were pretty bad, honestly. Their record was 7-21. But they’ve really turned things around since then. They’re actually pushing for their seventh straight win. That’s a serious hot streak. And now they get their starting center back. It’s also important because the Clippers have other guys hurt. Bradley Beal is out for the season with a hip injury. And Bogdan Bogdanovic is out with a hamstring issue. So yeah, Zubac coming back is a really big deal for them.
Confirmation and Looking Ahead to Boston
There was a little confusion, too. One report actually listed Zubac as still out. But ESPN quickly confirmed his availability. Team sources told ESPN that he’s good to go. No new updates popped up after January 2, confirming his return for the Saturday game. So he’s definitely playing.
His return comes against a tough opponent, the Boston Celtics. That’ll be a real test. Zubac is known for his physical play, you know. He’s not afraid to mix it up. He once even shoved Victor Wembanyama pretty hard. He actually got 21 points and 22 rebounds in that game. He later apologized, saying emotions took over. But it shows his intensity on the court. That kind of presence is what the Clippers need. Especially against a team like Boston.
This early return is a huge lift. It really could help the Clippers keep their winning streak going. They’re hoping to make a serious push now. And Zubac’s energy and interior presence will be key. They’ll need him against the Celtics and beyond.
Soureesh Datta 
Tanya Singh 
Baishali Karmakar