LOS ANGELES — Ivica Zubac had a career night in Thursday night’s season-opening victory against the Lakers, pulling down a career-high 17 rebounds to go along with 14 points on 6-of-6 shooting in 35 minutes. He also blocked five shots and disrupted plenty of others while on the court.
The 7-foot center was on the floor as the Clippers built a 16-point lead. Shortly after leaving the court late in the second quarter, the Lakers cut the lead to two and eventually tied the score on a dunk by Anthony Davis with 1:10 remaining.
Zubac, the team’s only true center, ruled in the third quarter, playing all 12 minutes and pulling down seven rebounds and scoring six points as the Clippers pulled away. The Clippers led by as many as 15 before settling for an eight-point lead at the end of three.
“I thought Zu was a monster, as far as defensively, on the boards, defensively, a lot of things he did well,” Coach Tyronn Lue said.
Although the Clippers had a balanced attack (six players scored in double figures), Zubac was arguably his team’s most dominant player in the 103-97 victory, their eighth consecutive win against the Lakers.
Lue said the coaching staff challenged Zubac to get into better offensive rebounding positions when facing smaller lineups. He did that against the Lakers, resulting in six offensive rebounds.
“He dominated the paint,” Lue said. ‘When Zu’s playing like that, we’re a tough team to beat. And so, when guys are going to the basket and challenging guys at the rim or blocking shots, it’s huge for us.”
Zubac, who signed a three-year $33 million contract extension during the offseason, played five games for Croatia in the EuroBasket tournament over the summer to prepare for the grind of the NBA season.
“I feel like it was perfect for me. It was a lot of games, but I feel like it prepared me better than the summer workouts can,” he said. “I feel like I came in really good shape and that I think shows now. I’m glad I did it, and I think it prepared me well. I feel great. I don’t feel tired and I feel in good shape.”
WALL’S FIRST IMPRESSION OF HIS FIRST GAME
How did point guard John Wall feel playing in his first game since April 2021?
“I was geeked. I’m not going to lie. It felt great, I’m not going to lie,” he said, breaking into a wide smile.
The truth is, Wall was excited to be on the court, but not altogether ready to shoot just any shot. Instead of taking a pass from Paul George in the side on his first play, he moved to midcourt for his first basket.
“I think like, when I first got in and got the ball and I think P threw it to me on the side, I’m like, “I’m not shooting no three, I just got in!” Wall said. “And when you see your first basket go in, it just feels like everything’s easy, moving forward.”
Wall finished with 15 points on 7-for-15 shooting, three assists and four rebounds in 25 minutes.
GEORGE HAS SYMPATHY FOR WESTBROOK
George and Russell Westbrook were teammates in Oklahoma City and remain close friends. So, understandably, George doesn’t understand the criticism Westbrook, now beginning his second season with the Lakers, receives in Los Angeles.
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“Honestly, I don’t get the shade or the hate or the stuff that’s thrown at him. He’s one of the best players to ever play this game,” George said. “It’s hard when you’ve got the pressure they’re putting on him here.”
George said he doesn’t think the Lakers’ roster is built for Westbrook, a two-time NBA scoring champion while he was with the Thunder.
“Like, it’s got to work both ways. He was very easily a 30-10-and-10 guy when he had the keys to the team. We can’t forget about that,” George said. “For me, I just want him to keep having that joy, keep having that excitement, that fun. That’s what makes him special, the fact that he can do that on a nightly basis.
“I hate to see that it doesn’t look like it’s there for him. But, you know, hopefully in the end, it works out for him in his favor.”