Ivica Zubac (ankle) questionable Wednesday vs. MEM

Nance was in a groove on Saturday, matching his career high with five three-pointers. The veteran forward/center needed just seven attempts to reach that mark, a welcome development after Nance began the season shooting 5-for-17 from deep. He still can’t be relied on in most fantasy leagues, but Nance played 13 minutes while fellow reserve Jay Huff (zero points, three rebounds) played 10 minutes.

For the third time in five games and the first time since October 23, Zubac hit double figures in rebounds. He missed five games with a sprained ankle, so the 7-footer is still finding his footing. And it doesn’t help that Tyrese Haliburton is out with a strained hamstring. That absence has negatively impacted the Pacers offensively, and Zubac attempted just five shots on Saturday. The Pacers play four games next week, starting with the Mavericks on Monday.

Rookie Braden Smith is getting his second career start after playing well last game. The rest of the Pacers lineup is what you would expect without Tyrese Haliburton and Ivica Zubac is back in the lineup for Jay Huff.

Zubac is available after missing five games with a sprained ankle. His return will push Jay Huff to the bench, eliminating most of Huff’s already-limited fantasy value.

Huff has been filling in as the starting center for Indiana for the last few games, but that hasn’t always led to starter minutes. However, with only six available players for the Pacers in this game, Huff played a significant role. He started off hot, scoring 17 points in the first half, which helped him lead the team in scoring while setting a new season high for points. He’ll continue starting until Ivica Zubac (ankle) returns, which makes him an intriguing streaming option, even if he has struggled as a starter prior to this game.

Siakam will join the starters on the sideline, and he could be replaced in the first unit by Obi Toppin (back), who has been upgraded to questionable. Jay Huff should see big frontcourt minutes with Ivica Zubac (ankle) still on the shelf.

It’s fair to say that Huff’s four starts for the injured Ivica Zubac (ankle) have not gone as well as many fantasy managers hoped. While he scored 13 points in Friday’s loss to the Heat, he has totaled 22 points, 16 rebounds and one block in those four games. Huff appeared to tweak his right foot in the first half of Sunday’s defeat but returned. Managers still holding onto him in hopes of getting some streaming value may be best served by moving on to another option going into Week 3.

With Ivica Zubac (ankle) sidelined, Toppin’s role in the Pacers’ rotation becomes even more important, even though he is still coming off the bench. After scoring 16 points in Sunday’s win over the Nets, he added another 14 off the bench on Monday. Jay Huff (six points, six rebounds and one assist) may be Zubac’s replacement in the starting lineup, but managers seeking a streamer should not sleep on Toppin.

Huff will start in place of Ivica Zubac, who may miss an extended amount of time with an ankle injury. Andrew Nembhard (neck) is also sidelined, which will allow Oubre to get the nod in his place.

Speaking with media on Monday, Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle said Zubac is doing better and walked into the arena without a boot, but will not rush the big man back. This is the same injury that held the 7-foot center out for some time last season. Jay Huff will continue to start in his absence.