Addition by Subtraction? Clippers End 2025 on 5-Game Tear as Kings Crumble 131-90
INGLEWOOD, Calif., Jan. 1, 2026: The Los Angeles Clippers didn’t just close out the calendar year; they slammed the door shut.
In a season defined by early struggles and questions about roster construction, the Clippers delivered their most emphatic statement yet on Tuesday night, dismantling their Pacific Division rivals, the Sacramento Kings, 131-90 at the Intuit Dome. The victory extended Los Angeles’ winning streak to a season-high five games—a run that has coincided perfectly, and perhaps confusingly, with the absence of starting center Ivica Zubac.
Led by Kawhi Leonard’s clinical 33-point performance, the Clippers looked nothing like the disjointed squad that stumbled through November. Instead, they appeared faster, more versatile, and surprisingly dangerous without their traditional anchor in the middle.
The Zubac Paradox
When Zubac went down with an ankle injury against the Lakers on December 20, the mood in Inglewood was somber. The Croatian big man has been a stabilizing force for a team often in flux. Yet, the on-court product since his exit has been undeniable: the Clippers are 5-0, winning by an average margin that suggests a team finally finding its identity.
Without Zubac clogging the lane, the Clippers have leaned into a devastating small-ball aesthetic. The spacing has opened up driving lanes for James Harden (21 points) and allowed Leonard to operate with surgical precision in the midrange.
“We’re playing with more space, more pace,” Leonard said post-game, stopping short of criticizing the former rotation but acknowledging the shift. “The ball is moving. We aren’t stagnating.”
Rookie Rising & The Collins Effect
While the superstars set the tone, the supporting cast filled the void left by Zubac with surprising efficacy. John Collins, often maligned for his defensive inconsistencies, added 16 points and provided enough rim protection to keep the Kings at bay.
Perhaps the most encouraging development for the Clippers front office was the play of rookie Yanic Konan Niederhauser. The young big man poured in 16 points off the bench, offering a glimpse of a more athletic, modern frontcourt future. His ability to switch onto guards and run the floor gave the Kings fits, contrasting sharply with the more traditional, plodding style of play Zubac provides.
Kings in Crisis
For Sacramento, Tuesday was a disaster. The Kings (8-25) looked listless and outmatched, committing 19 turnovers that the Clippers converted into 28 easy points.
Missing key scorers Zach LaVine and Domantas Sabonis, the Kings’ offense sputtered, shooting just 41% from the field. Rookie Nique Clifford was a lone bright spot with 18 points, but the result never felt in doubt. The 41-point margin of victory was the Clippers’ largest of the season, a statistic that will surely fuel the growing “trade Zubac” narrative bubbling among the fanbase.
What Comes Next?
The Clippers now face a fascinating dilemma as they head into 2026. Zubac is expected to return in January, but with the team playing its best basketball of the season in his absence, Head Coach Tyronn Lue faces a delicate balancing act. Does he reintegrate his traditional center and risk disrupting this newfound rhythm, or does he explore trade options to lean fully into this faster, space-oriented lineup?
For now, the Clippers are rolling. And for the first time all season, they look like a team no one wants to play.
