Clippers center Ivica Zubac was named to the NBA’s All-Defensive second team, it was announced on Thursday.
It is the first career All-Defensive selection for Zubac, who averaged career highs of 16.8 points, 12.6 rebounds, 0.69 steals and 32.8 minutes in 80 games this season and helped the Clippers finish third in the league in defensive rating (109.4) and fifth in net rating (4.9) during the regular season. The Clippers held opponents under 100 points in 20 games this season – tied for the second-most in the league.
Zubac led the NBA in total rebounds (1,010) and finished third in the league in defensive win shares (among players who appeared in at least 65 games) and tied for ninth in plus/minus at +514.
Zubac is just the fifth Clipper ever to earn All-Defensive honors, joining Kawhi Leonard (2019-21), Patrick Beverley (2019-20), Chris Paul (2011-17) and DeAndre Jordan (2014-16).
Cleveland forward Evan Mobley, the Defensive Player of the Year this season, was also the top vote-getter for the NBA’s All-Defensive team. Mobley got 99 first-team votes from a global panel of 100 writers and broadcasters who cover the NBA and cast ballots to determine award winners. He was a second-team pick on the lone other ballot.
Atlanta’s Dyson Daniels, Oklahoma City’s Luguentz Dort, Golden State’s Draymond Green and Houston’s Amen Thompson rounded out the first team. Daniels joined Mobley as the only players to appear on all 100 ballots; Daniels got 91 first-team nods and nine second-team votes.
Dort appeared on 99 ballots, Green – now a five-time first-team selection and a nine-time All-Defensive pick overall – appeared on 98 ballots and Thompson was on 97 ballots.
Portland’s Toumani Camara, Minnesota’s Rudy Gobert, Memphis’ Jaren Jackson Jr. and Oklahoma City’s Jalen Williams joined Zubac on the second team.
Gobert, a four-time Defensive Player of the Year, is now an eight-time All-Defensive team selection.
Ballots were cast shortly before the start of the playoffs. The final awards to be handed out by the league to recognize excellence in this regular season will come Friday, when the All-NBA teams are unveiled.