INGLEWOOD, Calif. -- The Los Angeles Clippers put on a dominating performance on Saturday night, defeating the Dallas Mavericks 135-104, with Ivica Zubac stealing the show in a historic outing. Zubac, who has been enjoying a breakout season, finished the game with an impressive 25 points and 10 rebounds, shooting a flawless 11-for-11 from the floor. This remarkable feat makes him the first player in NBA history to record at least 25 points and 10 rebounds in a game without missing a shot or committing a turnover, according to Stat Mamba.
Joining Zubac in the scoring frenzy were teammates Kawhi Leonard and James Harden, both of whom contributed 29 points each. Their combined offensive firepower was too much for the Mavericks, who struggled to keep pace throughout the game. The Clippers' victory marks their fourth consecutive win and sixth in their last seven games, solidifying their position in the playoff race.
Despite the loss, Anthony Davis led the Mavericks with 27 points, while Kai Jones added 18 points on a perfect 9-for-9 shooting. However, the Mavericks have now lost three of their last four games, raising concerns about their ability to defend their Western Conference title from last season. Davis, who has been dealing with injuries, appeared to be in discomfort during the game, grabbing his left knee in the first half and clutching his stomach in the second. Nevertheless, he continued to play through the pain.
As the game progressed, the Clippers established control early on. A key moment came when Klay Thompson's three-pointer pulled the Mavericks to within 75-65 with 7:36 left in the third quarter. However, the Clippers responded with a decisive 17-6 run, capped off by Zubac's dunk, extending their lead to 92-71 with just 3:05 remaining in the quarter.
By the end of the third quarter, the Clippers had built a commanding 105-82 lead, effectively sealing the game. The trio of Leonard, Harden, and Zubac combined to shoot an astonishing 33 of 49 from the field through the first three quarters, scoring nearly as many points (81) as the entire Mavericks team (82).
In addition to his scoring and rebounding, Zubac's performance allowed him to surpass Bob McAdoo for sole possession of fifth place on the Clippers' all-time rebounds list. The 2024-25 season has been a significant one for Zubac, who has emerged as a contender for the NBA's Most Improved Player award and has been touted for the All-Defensive First Team.
Looking ahead, the Mavericks will return home to face the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday night, April 9, while the Clippers will host the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday night, April 8. With the Clippers currently holding a 46-32 record, they find themselves tied with the Memphis Grizzlies and Minnesota Timberwolves for the seventh seed in the Western Conference. The Clippers are determined to secure a top-six seed as they approach the end of the regular season, with four critical games remaining against the Spurs, Houston Rockets, Sacramento Kings, and Golden State Warriors.
As the Clippers continue their push for a playoff spot, Zubac's historic performance serves as a reminder of the potential this team has when firing on all cylinders. If they maintain this level of play, the Clippers could very well be a force to reckon with come playoff time.
