LA Clippers injury update: Team to receive massive boost ahead of game against Minnesota Timberwolves
The LA Clippers will take on the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday (Feb. 28) night. The Clippers are on a two-game losing streak and would like to recover before falling down the ladder. Fortunately, LA's starting center Ivica Zubac could return to the court after missing the last two games.
Zubac suffered a strained right calf after delivering a double-double performance against the Phoenix Suns on Feb. 17. As a result, the Clippers had to pay the price by losing their next two games without their defensive big man in the lineup. Zubac has been brilliant defensively for the Clippers, averaging 10.2 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game.
According to CBS Sports, the Clippers' big man is now listed as questionable instead of out for Tuesday's game against the Timberwolves. Reports say that the team will confirm his participation come the morning shootaround. If Zubac ends up playing, it's possible that LA could return to the win column.
Are LA Clippers a better team with Russell Westbrook on their roster?
Russell Westbrook officially started playing for the LA Clippers last Friday (Feb. 23) against the Sacramento Kings in what would be a legendary double-overtime game. He put up a double-double outing with 17 points, 14 assists, five rebounds and one steal, but that wasn't enough to help the team secure beat the Kings.
The same happened on Sunday night when LA took on the Denver Nuggets in a 134-124 defeat. Westbrook put up 17 points, five rebounds, five steals and four assists. Looking at his stats with the Clippers so far, they look good on paper. However, it appears that having Russ run the offense isn't the solution LA needed.
What the LA Clippers are missing right now is their reliable big man Ivica Zubac, who has proven to be a force to be reckoned with in the paint. Zubac can easily secure rebounds and swat shots of his opponents. Westbrook, meanwhile, maybe a solid guard but tends to make a lot of mistakes and miss a lot of shot attempts. Without Zubac to pick up the trash, the Clippers give up points.