Lakers' Rookie Ivica Zubac Out for the Season with Ankle Injury

Los Angeles Lakers' promising new center Ivica Zubac was injured in the first quarter of Thursday night’s game against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The Lakers announced Friday that Zubac will miss the rest of the season after X-rays were negative and the MRI confirmed a high ankle sprain in his right ankle.

The team says he will be re-evaluated in two weeks.

Back in the 2016 NBA Draft, all the focus for the Lakers was on the No. 2 overall pick. The team ultimately selected Brandon Ingram with the pick and may have gotten a star in the making as a result, but the team was able to get a steal with their second-round draft choice in Zubac.

The Croation has far exceeded expectations in his first season with the Lakers. Zubac went from a Los Angeles D-Fenders regular to a starter and the consensus seems to be that he has a bright future with the Lakers.

Zubac, who played professionally overseas before being drafted by the Lakers, has been a pleasant surprise for Los Angeles with much more polished game than anticipated. The 20-year-old possesses all the skills to be a successful big man on the NBA level and has quickly earned the respect of his teammates and the coaching staff.

In 38 games this season, Zubac averaged 7.5 points and 4.2 rebounds per game. Zubac shot an efficient 52.9 percent from the floor and only improved in the 11 games as a starter for the Lakers.