Micah Potter Making the Most of His Moment in Indiana
The Indiana Pacers made waves at the trade deadline by sending Isaiah Jackson to the Clippers and bringing in Ivica Zubac. But while Zubac’s debut in a Pacers uniform is still on hold, another big man has quietly stepped into the spotlight - and he’s making the most of it. Micah Potter, a name that didn’t make headlines when the season tipped off, is now giving Indiana meaningful minutes and showing that he might just belong in this league.
Since the deadline, Potter has stepped into a bigger role and delivered. In three games, he’s averaging 12.3 points, 7.3 boards, and 2 assists per night, while shooting an efficient 57.1% from the floor and an impressive 41.7% from beyond the arc. His standout performance came against the Brooklyn Nets, where he posted a 19-point, 12-rebound double-double off the bench - the kind of night that turns heads in coaching meetings and front offices alike.
Let’s be clear: Potter isn’t suddenly climbing into the starting five, and once Zubac is ready to go, the rotation will shift again. But what he’s doing right now matters.
He’s giving the Pacers quality minutes at center, spacing the floor, rebounding with energy, and showing that he can hold his own in the NBA. For a team with playoff aspirations and a long-term vision, having a reliable depth piece like Potter on a team-friendly deal is the kind of quiet win that can pay off down the line.
Potter’s journey with Indiana hasn’t been all smooth sailing. He made his debut the day after Christmas and got off to a hot start in January, averaging 11.4 points and 4.4 rebounds while shooting a blistering 52.2% from three in his first five games of the new year.
But the next stretch wasn’t as kind. Over his following eight games, his production dipped - 4.6 points, 4.3 rebounds, and just 28.9% shooting from the field.
His shot from deep also cooled off to 20%. It was a reminder that development isn’t always linear, especially for players trying to carve out a role on the fly.
Still, what’s encouraging is how Potter has bounced back. He’s not just surviving out there - he’s contributing.
As a stretch big who can knock down threes, battle for boards, and make smart passes, he fits the mold of a modern NBA reserve center. And in a third-string or spot-backup role, he’s proving he can be trusted.
There’s still plenty of season left, and Zubac’s eventual arrival will shake up the frontcourt rotation. But in the meantime, Potter is doing exactly what you want from a depth piece: staying ready, stepping up, and giving the Pacers something to think about when they look at their long-term roster plans. Whether he’s part of the core or just a valuable bench presence, he’s showing he’s more than just a placeholder.
Micah Potter might not be the headline name in Indiana’s post-deadline shuffle, but he’s earning his minutes - and maybe a future spot - the hard way. And for a team trying to build something sustainable, that kind of effort doesn’t go unnoticed.