Ivica Zubac’s much-anticipated debut in an Indiana Pacers uniform will have to wait.
The newly acquired center is currently on paternity leave following the birth of his first child and is also managing an ankle injury that’s lingered since December. According to head coach Rick Carlisle, the team is taking a cautious approach with their new big man.
“There’s still something there that’s not quite right,” Carlisle told reporters Friday. “We’re not going to put him out there until he’s really ready.”
It’s a prudent move by Indiana, especially considering Zubac’s reputation for durability. Over the past six seasons, he’s been a near-constant presence on the floor, suiting up for at least 68 games each year.
He’s the type of player who typically pushes through pain and finds a way to stay in the lineup. But Carlisle made it clear - that won’t be the expectation here.
The Pacers are prioritizing long-term health over short-term availability.
And that makes sense. Zubac isn’t just a rental.
He’s under contract for two more seasons on a team-friendly deal, and at 28, he fits squarely into Indiana’s long-term plans. With Myles Turner no longer in the picture after his departure last summer, Zubac provides a stabilizing force at the 5 - a traditional big who can anchor the paint, clean the glass, and offer a reliable interior presence on both ends.
Before the trade, Zubac was averaging 14.4 points, 11.0 rebounds, and 2.2 assists over 43 games with the Clippers - a strong stat line that reflects his ability to impact the game without needing the ball in his hands. He’s not flashy, but he’s efficient, physical, and consistent - the kind of foundational piece a rebuilding team can lean on.
And make no mistake, the Pacers are in full rebuild mode. At 13-39, they sit at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings heading into Saturday’s action. The trade that brought Zubac to Indiana was a clear signal of where the front office is headed: building for the future.
In that deal, Indiana sent out guard Bennedict Mathurin, center Isaiah Jackson, two first-round picks, and a second-rounder in exchange for Zubac and guard Kobe Brown. One of those first-rounders is for the 2026 draft, protected for picks 1-4 and 10-30. If it doesn’t convey this year, it becomes an unprotected first-rounder in 2031 - a significant asset to give up, but one that shows the Pacers are confident in what Zubac brings to the table.
For now, though, the focus is on getting him healthy and settled. Between the ankle and the new addition to his family, Zubac has plenty on his plate. The Pacers, wisely, are giving him the time and space to handle both.
When he does suit up, Indiana fans can expect a steady presence in the paint - and a glimpse of what the next chapter of Pacers basketball might look like.