Los Angeles Lakers: Ivica Zubac unexpectedly shines vs Timberwolves

The Los Angeles Lakers lost their final game before the All-Star break to the Minnesota Timberwolves. In the loss, Ivica Zubac had a great performance.

Heading into the All-Star break, the Los Angeles Lakers are limping a bit losing their last three games. Prior to their last three games, the Lakers were playing some pretty good basketball, however, things have not gone well for them in their last three games.

Starting against the Dallas Mavericks, the Lakers’ defense has really had a hard time stopping anyone. In that loss, the Lakers gave up 130 points to one of the worst teams in the league, and also not an offense that has performed all that well.

Since that loss, the Lakers have lost to two playoff contenders in the New Orleans Pelicans and the Minnesota Timberwolves. Of those two games, the Lakers had the best chance of winning against the Timberwolves. For much of the game, the Lakers were winning. However, a strong performance from Jimmy Butler on both ends of the court resulted in the Timberwolves earning a come-from-behind win.

In the loss, the Lakers did get a great performance unexpectedly from Ivica Zubac. For most of the season, Zubac has been a non-factor for the Lakers. However, Luke Walton gave him some meaningful minutes early in the game, and Zubac made the most of them.

Overall, Zubac played 20 minutes and was able to total a double-double with 19 points and 11 rebounds. In the first half, Zubac was a beast on the offensive glass, as he had multiple offensive rebounds and putback scores.

This outburst for Zubac really came out of nowhere, but his play off the bench certainly helped the Lakers nearly get a road win. As we head into the All-Star break, Zubac could be a player to watch in the second half for the Lakers.

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With a playoff spot being unlikely due to this recent three-game skid, the Lakers could certainly feature players like Zubac more at the end of the season. As shown against the Timberwolves, Zubac can be a force down low. Hopefully, his confidence will be high after the All-Star break, as he might have earned himself some more minutes with his play against the Timberwolves.