The Los Angeles Lakers will get back to work on Saturday, as they will continue their three-game road trip against the division rival Los Angeles Clippers at the Intuit Dome.
Luka Doncic and company will be looking to win a third straight game and their 20th victory of the season, while the Clippers continue to try to climb out of the hole they’ve dug for themselves, with hopes of snapping their five-game losing streak.
One of the keys to victory for the Clippers will be the play of veteran center and former Laker, Ivica Zubac, as the Lakers will be shorthanded in the frontcourt on Saturday, with Deandre Ayton ruled out for this game due to an elbow injury.
Jaxson Hayes Opens Up About Facing Ivica Zubac
GettyIvica Zubac #40 of the LA Clippers
The man tasked with containing Zubac on Saturday night will be fellow veteran center Jaxson Hayes, who will most likely be in the starting lineup for the Lakers with Ayton on the mend.
Hayes spoke with the media ahead of Saturday’s matchup with the Clippers about Zubac, via Dave McMenamin of ESPN.
“Zu’s a dog, man,” Hayes said. “He’s honestly, I feel like, one of the most slept-on bigs in the league. If you play him, you know he’s like that.
“Zu’s been like that for years. He knows how to use his body really well. He’s sneaky athletic. He’s not going to sprint up and down the floor on you all the time, but he’s going to get behind you, and he’s going to get a lob. He might catch you slipping and dunk on you. Zu’s been great. He’s been killing it.
“One of the best offensive rebounders in the game, defensive rebounders in the game. Always a tough matchup going up against him.”
Clearly, Hayes knows he’s got his work cut out for him against one of the better centers in the league, as the matchup in the paint could determine the outcome of this game between the two Los Angeles franchises.
Along with Ayton being ruled out, the Lakers will also be without Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, and Gabe Vincent.
Jarred Vanderbilt Reveals What He Brings to the Lakers
GettyJarred Vanderbilt #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers will likely lean heavily on Hayes, as well as forward Jarred Vanderbilt, on Saturday against the Clippers due to the absences of Hachimura and Ayton.
Vanderbilt has recently seen an uptick in playing time after being parked on the bench for most of the beginning of the 2025-26 NBA season. He also spoke to the media before Saturday’s game and made it clear that he can help the team with its rebounding struggles.
“That’s something I can bring to the table every single night, especially some games where we’re not shooting well, so there’s a lot more opportunities for offensive rebounds,” Vanderbilt said. “But yeah, we’re trying to win that possession battle.
“Like I said, if we’re not having a great shooting night, I think having multiple efforts and being able to have more opportunities up on the glass and offensive rebound, it’s going to better our chances.”
It’ll be interesting to see if Vanderbilt continues to get more time off the bench, as they’ll need him moving forward.
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