Ivica Zubac didn’t significantly mild the field rating up on Thursday. Nevertheless, his defensive effort, significantly on Nikola Jokic, proved to be invaluable. Straight impacting the LA Clippers’ 111-105 Recreation 6 win over the Denver Nuggets, Zubac was lauded by many analysts and followers, together with Kendrick Perkins.
After the LA Clippers pressured a Recreation 7, Perkins praised Ivica Zubac’s heroic defensive efficiency in a put up on X/Twitter:
“Very Spectacular Defensive efficiency tonight by Zubac!!! His particular person Protection towards Jokic is a number of the finest protection I’ve seen,” Perkins showered LA’s heart with lofty compliments.
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Because the LA Clippers’ major defender on Jokic, Zubac performed an important position in limiting the three-time MVP’s impression. Within the second half, Jokic was restricted to only 5 factors and two rebounds whereas taking pictures 2-for-9 from the sector.
Recreation 6 marked the primary time within the sequence that Jokic didn’t notch no less than a double-double, ending with 25 factors, seven rebounds and eight assists. Every of those stats is decrease than his averages from the earlier 5 video games of the sequence.
Other than three blocks and a steal, Ivica Zubac completed the night time with 10 factors and 6 rebounds on a extremely environment friendly 83.3% taking pictures.
Ivica Zubac was praised by Nikola Jokic earlier than playoffs
Ivica Zubac improved by leaps and bounds in the course of the 2024-2025 season, making it the perfect marketing campaign of his nine-year profession. Zubac’s enhancements have been even acknowledged by Nikola Jokic forward of the 2025 playoffs.
“He was sort of one-dimensional earlier than,” Jokic mentioned through DNVR Nuggets. “However now he can put up up, he can move from the pocket. He is actually evolving his recreation. He is a extremely good defender…it should be a enjoyable matchup.”
For the primary time in his profession, Zubac averaged a double-double with 16.8 factors and 12.6 rebounds for the whole lot of the common season. The Bosnian nationwide additionally posted profession highs in assists and steals per recreation.
Nevertheless, Zubac wasn’t named because the 2025 Most Improved Participant. He completed because the runner-up behind Atlanta’s Dyson Daniels (332), receiving 186 whole factors.
Zubac carried his spectacular kind to the postseason, as he has been one of many main contributors for LA, averaging 18.7 ppg, 9.5 rpg, 2.3 apg and 1.9 ‘shares’ (steals+blocks).
Recreation 7 between the LA Clippers and Denver Nuggets will play out at Ball Area on Saturday.
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Edited by Veer Badani