Few players have the tools to make Nikola Jokic’s life difficult on a basketball court. Jokic’s size, vision and shooting ability make him one of the toughest players to guard. The three-time MVP named those on Thursday during an interview with Jao Mile.
Jokic listed Ivica Zubac, Jusuf Nurkic, Jalen Duren, Rudy Gobert, Wendell Carter Jr. and Victor Wembanyama. He also credited the OKC Thunder’s team defense against him. For Zubac and Nurkic, in particular, Jokic gave a more insightful answer.
“Zubac guards me really well, and so does Nurkic. I guess they’re just bulkier, so I can’t move them when we’re battling for position.” Jokic said.
(This comment was translated from Serbian to English)
Jokic uses his bulkier frame against leaner centers. Anthony Davis is a prime example. Despite his All-Defensive reputation, Davis has struggled the most against his Serbian counterpart.
However, with players like Zubac and Nurkic, who are as tall and as strong as Jokic, the Nuggets superstar struggles to impose himself. This allows Zubac and Nurkic to guard Jokic in single coverage.
However, Jokic is skilled enough to play away from the rim against such players. The only area where he might struggle more at times is scoring efficiently against Zubac and Nurkic.
Nikola Jokic will face most of his best defensive counterparts this season
Nikola Jokic will continue to face his best defensive counterparts this season. While Ivica Zubac is now in the East after his 2026 deadline trade to the Pacers, Victor Wembanyama, Rudy Gobert and the Thunder’s test awaits the 2023 champion.
While Jokic has had many great games against Gobert, he’s failed to get past the Timberwolves the last two times he’s met them in the playoffs. In 2024, the Nuggets lost 4-3 in the conference semis. Last year, Denver lost 4-2 in round one, despite Minnesota being severely injury-riddled.
As for the Thunder, Jokic couldn’t lead the Nuggets past them in the 2025 playoffs, with Denver losing a seven-game thriller in the conference semis.
Jokic has yet to face Victor Wembanyama in the playoffs. That could change this season and facing the reigning Defensive Player of the Year won’t be easy, either. Nevertheless, Jokic can never be counted out even when the odds don’t favor the three-time MVP. He’s come out on top, at least individually, against his toughest matchups.
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