Ivica Zubac gave Indiana fans a fresh reason to feel better about the future with Croatia, and he did it in the kind of way the Pacers hope to see all season long.
Zubac powered Croatia past the Netherlands with 24 points, 11 rebounds and two blocks, a strong showing that only adds to the sense that Indiana made its move for the right big man. The Pacers had once imagined landing a star rookie in that 2025-26 class alongside the Croatian center, but a draft lottery slide turned that idea into something else entirely. Instead, Indiana ended up betting big on a trade for Zubac, and the early signs are exactly the kind of proof the franchise needs.
That deal came with real cost, and the pressure on Zubac is obvious. Indiana gave up a lot to get him, and fans are going to want to see that investment pay off fast.
But even with the loss of Keaton Wagler or whoever Indiana would have taken at fifth overall, the trade already looks like a win. Bennedict Mathurin is set to open the season against the Pacers as a member of the New Orleans Pelicans, and Isaiah Jackson is not expected to be part of the rotation.
Zubac, by contrast, looks like the player who will matter most over the next five years or more.
Wagler’s rough summer league and questions about his athleticism only sharpen that point, and Mathurin now being on his third team in eight months makes the comparison even cleaner. Indiana has already come out ahead, even before Zubac has played double-digit games in a Pacers jersey.
The larger point, though, is bigger than just winning a trade. Indiana wants a title, and Zubac is central to that path.
What makes his Croatia performance especially encouraging is how familiar it all looked. He wasn’t asked to be the entire offense.
He didn’t dominate the ball or force a new identity. He played the same way he does in the NBA: as a rebounder, a post scorer and a reliable finisher around the rim.
That matters because he won’t need to reinvent himself when he gets back to Indiana. The Pacers are expected to keep the ball in the hands of their other stars, especially a returning Tyrese Haliburton, while Zubac does the dirty work inside.
Against the Netherlands, Zubac hit 8 of 10 shots and scored with baby hooks and pick-and-roll finishes. He also benefited from the kind of frontcourt chemistry that could translate well in Indiana.
Dario Saric is no longer the player he once was, but there’s a little bit of Pascal Siakam in the way he plays as a point forward with underrated scoring skill. They are not the same caliber, but they share the same kind of mind.
Zubac has spent years alongside Saric, and if that gives Indiana even a preview of what he can do next to Siakam, the Pacers have plenty to feel good about.
The frontcourt pairing Indiana has built is being described as the best in the league, even drawing a comparison to Joel Embiid and LeBron James of the Philadelphia 76ers. However that shakes out, one thing is clear: this season cannot get here fast enough.
In Other News...
Pascal Siakam Just Sent A Clear Message About Pacers Identity
Pascal Siakams latest message offered a revealing window into what the Pacers want to be going forward. In a video he posted on social media, the four-time Indiana All-Star stressed hustle and effort over trying to play pretty basketball, a theme that fits the way this roster has tended to view itself. He also pointed to the day-to-day competition around Tyrese Haliburton, Andrew Nembhard and TJ McConnell as a driving force, with those guards pushing one another to keep sharpening their games.
Siakams optimism is notable because it comes with a clearer picture of the Pacers next step, especially with Haliburton back in the mix and Ivica Zubac entering his first full season in Indiana. The comments did not sound like a player selling hope so much as one describing an identity the team is already trying to own, even if the details of how it all comes together will have to wait for the season to sort out. [Read more 🡒]
Pascal Siakam Is Setting A New Tone For Pacers Camp
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Siakams talk centered on effort over flash, with a clear push for the forwards to embrace the dirty work that often decides how far a team can go. Cutting hard, setting screens, defending and attacking the rim were all part of the message, along with playing with intensity instead of worrying about style. For Indiana, that kind of early leadership is exactly what you want from a veteran brought in to help set the tone. [Read more 🡒]
Pacers Face A Brutal East Race With Almost No Margin For Error
The Eastern Conference has turned into the kind of race where a promising start can still leave a team scrambling, and Indiana is feeling that pressure as much as anyone. With several East clubs looking dangerous and little room to breathe in the standings, the Pacers cannot afford a slow opening if they want to stay in the playoff picture. Their path is less about one dramatic leap and more about holding ground every night in a league that punishes even brief lapses.
Tyrese Haliburton sits at the center of that equation, because Indianas ceiling and stability both hinge on his health and production. The Pacers have the pieces to make noise, but in a conference this unforgiving, good intentions are not enough, and every stretch of inconsistency can quickly become a problem. For Indiana, the challenge is not just reaching the playoffs. It is getting there before the East closes the door. [Read more 🡒]