In the early hours of Tuesday morning, several NBA games were played, with Croatian players Ivica Zubac and Karlo Matković delivering standout performances.

Karlo Matković achieved his best NBA career performance, scoring 19 points in a convincing home win for the New Orleans Pelicans against the San Antonio Spurs (114-96). In just 21:04 minutes on the court, Matković was nearly perfect, shooting 7-7 from the field, 1-2 from three, and 2-2 from the free-throw line. He also grabbed six rebounds, and added one assist and one block. He played a crucial role in the fourth quarter, scoring 12 of his 19 points, including six in a decisive 19-3 run that shifted the game in favor of the Pelicans. Zion Williamson led the Pelicans with 22 points and 9 rebounds.

Meanwhile, Ivica Zubac played a key role in the Los Angeles Clippers' loss to the Indiana Pacers (129-111). Zubac scored 22 points (8-11 from the field, 6-6 from the free-throw line), grabbed six rebounds, and dished out two assists, making him the second-best player for the Clippers after James Harden, who had 31 points, 11 assists, and 7 rebounds. Despite the loss, Zubac's performance remains impressive, and the Clippers now hold a 31-25 record, while the Pacers are 32-23 and sitting 4th in the Eastern Conference.

At the top of the league, the Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 129-123, maintaining their position as the best team in the NBA. Meanwhile, Oklahoma City Thunder continued their strong form with a 130-123 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves, holding onto the top spot in the Western Conference.

In another exciting game, the Golden State Warriors comfortably beat the Dallas Mavericks 126-102. Stephen Curry led the Warriors with 30 points, while Jimmy Butler, in his first game for Golden State, scored 18 points.

All in all, it was a thrilling night of basketball, with Croatian players making a significant impact and continuing to shine in the NBA./ HRT 

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