Nikola Jokic spoils Ivica Zubac's last chance to right his wrongs

Ruining the night of Nikola Jokic, on his first game back since December 29th, 2025, was the best opportunity Ivica Zubac was going to find this season to prove himself. The LA Clippers needed a win, and if Zubac had been the primary factor of a successful outcome, he would have clearly been justified as an untouchable on the trade deadline, which is fast approaching.

What was the outcome? Zubac was haunted by the three-time MVP, who was cleared to play from a knee injury the same day as the game. The Croatian star has had a ton of wrongs this season, but his performance against Jokic is debatable for first place.

Thus, the Clippers have until the upcoming Thursday to trade Zubac. It is not worth holding on to a trouble-maker when the front office can find a better center on the market.

Nikola Jokic’s exceptional performance on the Clippers confirmed that Ivica Zubac has to go

13 points and seven boards in 30 minutes seems not too shabby for Ivica Zubac, especially taking into account that he shot six-of-ten from the field. However, it is Zubac’s defense and missed opportunities that headline why trading him should be a non-negotiable.

Furthermore, Nikola Jokic posted 31 points, 12 rebounds, five assists, three steals, and just one turnover in 25 minutes, on three missed shots. He had Zubac lost in the sauce, and totally in the dark, in the pick-and-roll action, which helped the Denver Nuggets win out in the fourth and final frame.

Zubac’s late close-outs and defensive unawareness have been an issue for a good bit of the season, and he was exposed by the best center in the world at ease on a minutes restriction. The real question after last night was, where did his all-defensive presence run off to? It was neither seen, heard, nor felt in the chance of a season that was directed his way.

Additionally, Zubac had only four misses, but one was a wide-open dunk attempt set up to perfection by James Harden. The former MVP had Jokic and Peyton Watson distracted, and despite ‘The Joker’ making a late realization and not even contesting, the Nuggets were still rewarded with an easy rebound.

That said, the way Jokic performed should have had Lawrence Frank brainstorming trades on Zubac mid-game. He recorded a 31-point double-double without any resistance, and with the majority of the fault on LA’s starting center, change must occur without delay.