Nikola Jovic’s rough night in Los Angeles didn’t just end with a loss for the Miami Heat. It also drew sharp criticism from two former Lakers greats who saw enough in the film room to question his place in the rotation.
After Miami fell 138-117 to the Lakers on Monday night at Crypto.com Arena, Robert Horry and James Worthy zeroed in on Jovic’s limited and ineffective stint. The Serbian forward played seven minutes across the second and fourth quarters, scoring two points on 33.3 percent shooting while grabbing one rebound. His defensive mistakes were a major reason he was pulled.
Horry, a seven-time NBA champion and Lakers analyst, didn’t mince words when he reviewed the tape.
"You got this guy, I don't even know who he is, No. 5 (Jovic), he didn't do his job," he said. "That's why he didn't play much."
Worthy, a Hall of Famer and three-time NBA champion, followed with an even simpler assessment, calling Jovic "looking lost."
For Jovic, it was another reminder that the inconsistency that has followed him through his fifth NBA season is still hanging over him. He has had chances to establish himself, but the results have too often led to fewer minutes or a seat outside the rotation altogether.
The Heat, meanwhile, are looking for more than flashes. Jovic’s four-year, $62.4 million extension signed last fall has now kicked in, fully guaranteed with no player or team options, and Miami needs that investment to start paying off.
His production this season has not matched the offensive burst he showed in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 European Qualifiers, where he averaged 20 points on 66.7 percent shooting, along with 2.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.3 blocks in 22.5 minutes over four games. The roles are different, but the opportunity has been there.
Jovic was also left out of the Giannis Antetokounmpo blockbuster trade, a deal that included Kasparas Jakucionis, Kel'el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and All-Star Tyler Herro. Miami has continued to show faith in him, but the on-court consistency still hasn’t arrived.
With the Feb. 11, 2027 trade deadline still three months and eight days away, Jovic should keep seeing meaningful minutes. But if he doesn’t start providing steady value, Erik Spoelstra may eventually have to rethink the rotation.
The Heat are still on their five-game West Coast trip and will be back in action Wednesday night against the Los Angeles Clippers at the Intuit Dome. Tip-off is set for 10:30 p.m. E.T., with the game televised on WPLG Local 10.
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For the Heat, the bigger concern is less the final margin than the way the Lakers were able to dictate the terms of the matchup. When an opponent is winning the passing battle, stretching the floor and finishing inside, it puts a premium on every defensive rotation and every missed opportunity at the other end. Miami will have plenty to sort through after this one, because the performance was a reminder of how far a game can tilt when the details start slipping. [Read more 🡒]