Clippers center Ivica Zubac ruled out for Game 6 of WCF vs. Suns
Jun 30, 2021, 4:33 PM
Ivica Zubac #40 of the LA Clippers reaches for a loose ball against Deandre Ayton #22 of the Phoenix Suns during the second half in game four of the Western Conference Finals at Staples Center on June 26, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Los Angeles Clippers center Ivica Zubac has been ruled out for Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals against the Phoenix Suns at Staples Center on Wednesday night.
Head coach Tyronn Lue made the announcement during his pregame media availability.
Zubac’s absence marks the second consecutive game he’s been forced to miss after a sprained right MCL kept him out of Game 5 on Monday in Phoenix.
Game 6 marks just the second contest the Clippers big has missed in the last two years because of injury.
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Zubac started in three of the first four games of the Western Conference Finals.
He’s averaging 12.8 points and 11 rebounds over 31.1 minutes per contest while shooting 58.3% from the field and 88.5% from the free throw line.
The Clippers big became a starter after Game 1 and has posted a double-double in each game since joining the starting five.
Zubac and forward Kawhi Leonard remain sidelined for the second consecutive elimination game for Los Angeles, as the two-time NBA Finals MVP hasn’t played since Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinals due to a knee injury that is reportedly feared to be an ACL issue.
Monday night’s Game 5 saw Lue go with a small-ball starting lineup of Patrick Beverley, Reggie Jackson, Paul George and Marcus Morris Sr. and Terance Mann (in place of Zubac), which included a zone defense in the opening minutes of the first quarter.
The Suns take a 3-2 series lead into Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals on Wednesday night at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
Tune to 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station for continued Suns coverage throughout the day leading up to the 6 p.m. tip.
