The Indiana Pacers are navigating a tough season without their star, Tyrese Haliburton. With a record of 15-40, they find themselves 14th in the Eastern Conference as they emerge from the All-Star break. Their next challenge is an away game against the Washington Wizards on Thursday evening.
Head coach Rick Carlisle addressed the media on Tuesday, shedding light on the status of Ivica Zubac, who was acquired via trade. Carlisle indicated that it would be some time before Zubac makes his debut with the team.
The absence of Zubac has sparked questions about the Pacers' strategy, especially given their current standing. With several players sidelined this season, Indiana has struggled to replicate last year's success, where they pushed to Game 7 of the NBA Finals.
Currently, the Pacers hold the fourth-best odds for securing the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. They have a 58.1 percent chance of landing a top-four pick.
This is crucial because their first-round draft pick is protected if it falls within 1-4 and 10-30. Should it land between 5-9, it would be transferred to the Clippers, a scenario Indiana is keen to avoid.
Zubac has been out for four games due to an ankle injury, and the team was recently fined $100,000 for tanking behavior, adding another layer of complexity to their season's narrative.