Clippers Get Encouraging Injury News on Zubac, Bogdanovic

The Los Angeles Clippers finally have something to smile about after a rough start to the season. Just weeks ago, the team was sitting at a disappointing 6–21 record, with hopes of even a respectable year fading fast. Now, in the middle of a surprising six-game winning streak, the Clippers received positive injury updates on two important players: Ivica Zubac and Bogdan Bogdanovic, according to the latest team-related reports.

Ivica Zubac’s absence initially looked like another serious setback. The Clippers’ starting center went down last month against the Los Angeles Lakers, leaving the game after only 11 minutes. He was later diagnosed with a Grade 2 left ankle sprain, and early expectations were that he would need at least three weeks before being re-evaluated. However, reporter Joey Linn provided encouraging news this week, confirming that Zubac has resumed on-court activity, a key step toward a return (per Joey Linn).

That update alone is significant for a Clippers team that has been forced to adjust on the fly. Zubac is their defensive anchor in the paint, and his loss was expected to hurt for several weeks. Instead, Los Angeles managed not just to stay afloat, but to thrive. Veteran center Brook Lopez was elevated into a larger role, and he has helped stabilize the position while Zubac recovers (per team observations).

Bogdanovic’s situation is slightly different but still trending in a positive direction. The sharpshooting guard exited a recent game against the Portland Trail Blazers due to soreness in his left hip along with a hamstring issue. He is expected to miss the remainder of the current homestand, and the Clippers’ medical staff has not finalized a return date. Linn reported that Bogdanovic is “undergoing a process to address the residual weakness in the left hamstring/hip area,” suggesting a cautious approach rather than a long-term concern (per Joey Linn).

What makes all of this more impressive is how dominant the Clippers have looked during this stretch. Their sixth straight win came Thursday against the Utah Jazz, and during the streak, they have outscored opponents by an average of 21 points. That margin is the largest in NBA history for a team that was at least 15 games below .500 entering the run (per league stats). Even more telling, those wins weren’t against weak competition, as the Clippers beat teams like the Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, and Detroit Pistons.

Kawhi Leonard has been the clear engine behind this turnaround. Over the past two weeks, the Clippers have ranked first in the league in both offensive and defensive efficiency, posting a 129.1 offensive rating and a 106.0 defensive rating (per NBA metrics). Leonard has led the way, averaging 39 points per game, including a career-high 55-point performance against Detroit. He has also made his presence felt defensively, averaging 8.5 rebounds, 2.7 steals, and 1.5 blocks per game (per game logs).

While Leonard’s numbers may be hard to sustain over a full season, the Clippers’ balanced play suggests this surge isn’t just a fluke. With two more home games coming up against the Boston Celtics and Golden State Warriors, followed by a road trip to Brooklyn, Los Angeles now has momentum — and, potentially, reinforcements on the way.

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