The Indiana Pacers made a splash at the trade deadline, landing Ivica Zubac to shore up their frontcourt. But if fans were hoping to see their new big man suit up right away, they’ll have to wait a bit longer. Head coach Rick Carlisle made it clear: Zubac won’t be hitting the floor before the All-Star break-and maybe not for a while after that, either.
“He’s got a lingering ankle situation,” Carlisle said during an interview on 1075 The Fan. “He was injured December 20th, or something like that.
Initially, it was deemed to be a four-to-six week injury, but this is a guy who has played 95% of his games since he's been in the NBA. He pushed to come back early; their team was struggling. ...
There’s some discomfort. There’s some swelling.”
Translation: Zubac is a gamer, but the Pacers aren’t in a position to rush him back-nor should they be.
Carlisle added that Zubac won’t play in the final two games before the All-Star break and didn’t offer a clear timeline for his return. “At this point, it makes zero sense for him to be out on the floor in an NBA game if he’s not feeling as close to 100% as possible,” Carlisle said.
And he’s right. The Pacers are in a tough spot this season, sitting at 13-40 with the second-worst record in the league. Playoff dreams are off the table, and the focus has quietly shifted toward the long game-player development, draft positioning, and building for the future.
That’s where Zubac fits in. When healthy, he brings a level of interior presence the Pacers have sorely missed-rim protection, rebounding, and a reliable anchor in the paint. He’s not a star, but he’s a rock-solid starting center who can make life easier on both ends of the floor.
But right now, adding that kind of stability might actually be too much of a good thing.
Let’s be honest-Zubac could make the Pacers just good enough to mess with their lottery odds. And in a year where the draft is expected to be loaded at the top, that’s not exactly ideal. Indiana has a real shot at landing a franchise-altering talent, and that opportunity shouldn't be jeopardized by a few extra wins in a season that’s already gone sideways.
Then there’s the injury factor. This team has been absolutely battered.
Tyrese Haliburton is done for the year with an Achilles injury. Johnny Furphy’s season ended with a torn ACL.
And that’s not even counting the extended absences for Andrew Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith, T.J. McConnell, and Obi Toppin.
The Pacers have been in survival mode for months.
Adding Zubac to that list by rushing him back from a nagging ankle issue? That’s a risk this team can’t afford to take.
So yes, it’s disappointing that fans won’t get to see Zubac in action right away. But the long-term view is what matters here.
Let him get right. Let him get fully healthy.
Because when the Pacers are ready to turn the corner-and with a top draft pick and a healthy core, that could be sooner than later-Zubac will be a key piece of the puzzle.
For now, patience is the smart play.