Ivica Zubac opened the 2025-26 campaign as an absolute terror in the paint, transforming from a traditional role player into a relentless interior anchor. During a grueling 46-minute marathon on 11/15 vs DAL, he battered the Mavericks for 27 points and 11 rebounds on 11-of-15 shooting, generating a massive +20.3 Impact score through sheer physical dominance around the rim. Even when his offensive touches vanished, his value remained undeniable. Take the 11/04 vs MIA matchup, where he managed just nine points but still posted a +8.6 Impact. He made up for the quiet scoring night by vacuuming up 18 rebounds and creating crucial second-chance opportunities through pure hustle. His lone true dud arrived early on 10/24 vs PHX. He logged a dismal -6.7 Impact in that contest, as a passive eight-point, five-rebound effort left his team completely exposed on the interior. Aside from that single blip, Zubac spent these first sixteen games feasting on opposing frontcourts with elite shot selection and punishing board work.

Ivica Zubac spent this sixteen-game stretch terrorizing opposing frontcourts as an unstoppable, hyper-efficient force in the paint. He set an absurd physical tone early on 11/23 vs CLE. Bullying his way to 33 points and 18 rebounds, he generated a staggering +41.7 Impact score by relentlessly attacking the glass and finishing high-percentage looks. A few weeks later, he delivered a masterclass in shot selection on 12/12 vs HOU. He poured in another 33 points on a near-flawless 13-of-14 shooting performance, earning a massive +32.5 Impact score by simply refusing to miss around the basket. Sometimes, though, his offensive touches completely vanished. Yet on 01/06 vs GSW, despite taking just three shots to score 10 points, Zubac posted a +6.2 Impact by vacuuming up 11 rebounds and suffocating drivers at the rim.