Ivica Zubaz's Injury History

Ivica Zubac is a professional basketball player who plays for the Los Angeles Clippers in the NBA as of November 2024. Born in Croatia, Zubac's basketball journey began in the youth systems of his home country, where he first showcased the potential that would eventually lead him to professional basketball. His early career was marked by strategic progression through Croatian basketball leagues. Starting with Zrinjevac in the second division during the 2013-14 season, Zubac demonstrated his adaptability and potential.

In the 2016 NBA draft, Zubac was selected as the 32nd overall in the second round by the Los Angeles Lakers. In 2019, a trade to the Los Angeles Clippers marked the beginning of a new chapter in his career. Zubac quickly established himself as a crucial player for the team. His performance peaked during the 2021 NBA playoffs, where he played a key role in the Clippers' historic first-ever Western Conference Finals appearance. As of November 2024, the 27-year-old center continues to be a vital part of the Clippers' roster. His international experience, including winning a silver medal at the 2015 FIBA U19 World Championship, has shaped his approach to the game. In August 2024, Zubac's value to the team was further recognized with a substantial three-year contract extension worth $58.6 million. Throughout his nine-year NBA career, Zubac has consistently delivered solid performances. With 524 games played, 391 of which he started, he has maintained an impressive average of 9.4 points, 1.2 assists, and 7.6 rebounds per game. His journey from Croatian youth leagues to becoming a key NBA player exemplifies his growth, resilience, and basketball prowess.

Ivica Zubac Injury History

Since getting drafted in the NBA Draft 2016, Zubac has not gotten injured a lot to miss games in the NBA. However, he has only been out for a maximum of 10 games continuously in his entire NBA career.

As per Spotrac, below are the injuries sustained by Ivica Zubac in his NBA career:

DATE	INJURY	Games Missed
2/28/24	Illness	2
2/5/24	Calf	1
1/14/24	Calf	9
10/30/23	Foot	2
3/2/23	Calf	2
12/15/22	Knee	2
1/31/22	Calf	2
12/30/21	Health and safety protocols	4
4/1/17	Ankle	7
3/5/17	Quad	2
11/20/16	Ankle	10
11/10/16	Back	2

Major injuries sustained by Ivica Zubac in the NBA:

Ankle Injury (November 2016)

According to the Bleachers Report, during his rookie season with the Los Angeles Lakers, Zubac experienced a significant ankle setback. In November 2016, he suffered a high ankle sprain that initially seemed minor but ultimately ended his season prematurely. The Lakers announced that an MRI revealed the severity of the injury, forcing Zubac to miss the rest of the season. Initially hopeful for a quick return, he was re-evaluated after two weeks but ultimately could not return to the court.

The ankle injury proved to be persistent. After missing 10 straight games in November, Zubac briefly returned in December. However, in March 2017, he again experienced complications with the same ankle, forcing him to miss an additional 7 games and effectively ending his rookie season on a challenging note.

Calf Injury (January 2024)

In January 2024, Zubac faced another significant injury challenge with a right calf strain. This injury was particularly noteworthy because it broke his impressive streak of durability with the Los Angeles Clippers. Before this injury, he had missed only 12 games since joining the team in 2019, highlighting his remarkable consistency and fitness.

The calf strain was expected to sideline him for approximately four weeks, creating a substantial impact on the Clippers' performance. At the time of the injury, Zubac was averaging a career-high 12.4 points and 1.4 blocks per game. His absence was particularly significant given the team's recent success and the developing chemistry with James Harden in pick-and-roll situations. The Clippers' performance metrics showed they were 8.6 points per 100 possessions better with Zubac on the floor, underscoring his importance as both a defensive anchor and an offensive contributor, as per CBS Sports.