Tyrese Haliburton isn’t wasting any time figuring out Ivica Zubac.
The Pacers guard said he’s already liking what he sees from the big man, and Indiana is counting on that chemistry to turn into a real weapon this season. The hope is simple: Haliburton and Zubac become a pick-and-roll problem that opponents never fully solve.
“Obviously he's such a big guy," Haliburton said. "Poses a lot of different threats offensively and defensively, rebounding the basketball, outlets, all those things. So we’re just starting our connection, but I’m really enjoying playing alongside him for the first week or whatever and I think I’m just looking forward to playing against other teams here soon.”
Zubac’s track record gives the Pacers plenty to work with. He played in five games with Indiana last season and posted 11.6 points and 7.2 rebounds per game while shooting 47.2% from the field and 80.0 % from the free-throw line. For his career, he has averaged 10.5 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game after stops with the Los Angeles Lakers, LA Clippers and Pacers.
Indiana is also paying a price for the deal that brought him in. On Mother’s Day during the draft lottery, the Pacers lost their first-round pick in the 2026 NBA Draft because the Washington Wizards moved up and Indiana finished fifth.
The Pacers needed to land in the top four to keep the selection after sending protected draft capital to the Clippers for Zubac. The trade included two first-round picks headed to Los Angeles: one in 2029 and either this year’s first if it fell outside the top four or a 2031 unprotected first-rounder if it did not.
That lost pick stings because Indiana could have been in position to draft AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, Cameron Boozer or Caleb Wilson. Instead, the franchise is banking on Zubac delivering like a high-end starter alongside Pascal Siakam and Haliburton.
The appeal is obvious. Zubac came off a breakout season before injuries got in the way, finishing fourth in the league in rebounding at 12.6 per game and earning second-team All-Defense honors. He was on track for a second straight double-double before the injuries and the eventual move from the Clippers to the Pacers.
Now he’s being asked to serve as the interior anchor for a team trying to climb back toward prominence with its core healthy. His rebounding and defense will matter a lot if Indiana is going to make a postseason push.
The Pacers also brought in three new players this offseason: Larry Nance Jr., Kelly Oubre Jr. and Braden Smith.
Haliburton remains the engine of it all. He owns career averages of 17.5 points and 8.8 assists per game in the regular season, plus 17.9 points and 8.4 assists per game in the playoffs.
In a Pacers uniform, he has averaged 19.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, 10.1 assists, 1.5 steals and 0.6 blocks per game. He signed a five-year, $244 million extension with Indiana in July 2023.
In Other News...
Tyrese Haliburton Gives Pacers Fans One Huge Reason To Watch Tonight
The Pacers finally get a real look at their new starting group tonight when they open preseason against the Timberwolves, and there is plenty of curiosity baked into the matchup. For Indiana, this is the first chance to see the lineup tested against another team after camp work, with the game offering an early read on how the pieces fit as the season approaches. Minnesota brings its own intrigue after an active offseason, so this is not just a tune-up for the Pacers but a first glimpse at where they stand.
Tyrese Haliburtons return from injury is the biggest reason Indiana fans will be paying attention, since his presence changes the tone of the entire operation. His availability gives the Pacers a centerpiece to build around again, and tonight should offer a useful look at how he moves with the new starting five around him. There are still plenty of questions left to answer, but this game at least starts to sketch out what Indiana can be once the games begin to count. [Read more 🡒]
Pacers Championship Hopes May Come Down To One Deadline Decision
Tyrese Haliburton is back for the 2026-2027 season, but the Pacers are not exactly rolling into the year with a freshly restocked cupboard. Indiana missed out on the kind of draft break that can quietly change a teams ceiling, and after losing Myles Turner in free agency, the front office had to patch the middle of the roster by bringing in Ivica Zubac through a trade. It leaves the Pacers in a familiar but uncomfortable spot: good enough to matter, not yet complete enough to feel settled.
What happens next may hinge less on opening night than on February. With the Eastern Conference getting tougher and Indianas current core still needing help around Haliburton, the organization is expected to keep its powder dry for the 2027 trade deadline, when the right move could determine whether this season becomes a step forward or just another year of waiting on the edge of contention. [Read more 🡒]
Pacers Preseason Opener Will Reveal Something Bigger Than The Score
The first preseason game will give the Pacers their initial live look at how this group is coming together, but it will not settle the biggest questions hanging over camp. Tyrese Haliburtons Achilles recovery remains a storyline worth monitoring, and the arrival of new faces such as Kelly Oubre Jr. and Ivica Zubac adds another layer to watch as Indiana starts sorting out rotations and roles.
What matters most early on is less about the final score and more about whether the group looks connected. For a team trying to build momentum for the season ahead, chemistry and morale can matter just as much as any box score detail, and this opener should offer at least a first glimpse of how well the Pacers are building that foundation. [Read more 🡒]