Ivica

Zubac

Zubac suffered a fractured rib in Wednesday’s loss to the Trail Blazers. According to Dopriak, the 29-year-old center will miss the rest of the season due to the anticipated healing time. Jay Huff would be the top candidate to move into the starting lineup with Zubac sidelined.

Zubac played 23 minutes before having to exit early due to a hit to the head. The good news is that the 7-footer was not experiencing a headache after the game and did not need to enter concussion protocols, but the hit did leave a knot. The Pacers don’t play again until Saturday against the Spurs, which could be enough time for Zubac to recover fully.

Zubac is available despite initially being listed as questionable with an ankle injury. The 28-year-old center could get Wednesday’s game against the Trail Blazers off with the Pacers playing a back-to-back.

Tuesday’s game is the first of two in as many nights for the Pacers, so there are likely to be some absences either against the Knicks or the Trail Blazers. Zubac and Toppin were available for Sunday’s loss to the Bucks, with the former starting and the latter coming off the bench.

Nesmith and Zubac will be part of the Pacers’ starting lineup on Sunday, while McConnell and Toppin are likely to come off the bench. While Nesmith and Zubac played starters’ minutes in Friday’s loss to the Knicks, that is not guaranteed to be the case against the Bucks.

Zubac and Toppin were in the rotation for Friday’s loss to the Knicks, playing 29 and 16 minutes, respectively. If the former doesn’t play, that would open the door for Jay Huff to start. However, Huff is not a lock to provide reliable fantasy value, as his minutes have been limited when he starts.

There was some surprise regarding the Pacers’ decision to play Zubac and Andrew Nembhard (8/5/7/2) in both games of their back-to-back. And while head coach Rick Carlisle said that they would be under minutes restrictions, the tandem played 29 and 32 minutes, respectively. Zubac had a decent night, recording a complete stat line. Regarding the minutes, the rivalry between the franchises may have been a factor. That’s something to be mindful of next week, as Tuesday’s rematch is the first game of a back-to-back for Indiana.

Nesmith is back for Friday’s game after sitting out Thursday’s loss to the Suns. As a result of his return, Ethan Thompson is not only out of the starting five but inactive due to his status as a two-way contract player. Also, Nembhard and Zubac will once again have their minutes limited.

Zubac made his long-awaited debut for Indiana after they acquired him ahead of February’s trade deadline. He was solid in 16 minutes in the first half, though he didn’t suit up in the second half. It was great to see him suit up for his new team, but it is clear that the priority for the Pacers is to still maintain their pick, which is top-four protected. Zubac is still a fantasy star, but he may not get the opportunity to play enough to prove it over the rest of the season.

Nembhard’s return pushes Kam Jones to the bench, while Zubac’s Pacers debut means Jay Huff will be used in a reserve role. Also, Thompson and Brown start due to Aaron Nesmith and Obi Toppin being sidelined. The lone holdover in the starting lineup is Walker.