Starter Downgraded to OUT for Clippers vs. Hawks

When the day started, Ivica Zubac was initially listed as questionable for the LA Clippers against the Atlanta Hawks. Just a few hours before tipoff, he's now been officially ruled out against the Hawks.

Ivica Zubac will be out with right calf strain injury management. Clippers head coach Ty Lue confirmed that Zubac missing tonight's game will be mainly out of precaution since his calf strain injury had previously kept him out for over three weeks. Clipper fans should not be concerned with Ivica Zubac missing tonight's game against the Atlanta Hawks, and he should be back in the starting lineup against the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday.

Without Zubac, the Clippers will likely go back to starting Mason Plumlee at the center position and Daniel Theis at the backup center position. The Atlanta Hawks will be out without their own big man in Clint Capela, but have Onyeka Okongwu available to play.

As it stands, the LA Clippers are only one game out of both the first and second seed in the Western Conference. If they win tonight and either the Oklahoma City Thunder or Minnesota Timberwolves lose, LA will advance in the standings. It's going to be an incredibly tough battle though because the Clippers are on game 7 of a grueling road trip. At this point, players will likely be very tired and mentally exhausted.

The LA Clippers and Atlanta Hawks face off at 7:30 p.m. EST tonight.