Indiana Pacers starting center Ivica Zubac suffered a left ankle sprain Sunday, October 25, 2026, after stepping on teammate Kelly Oubre Jr. during the first quarter against the Brooklyn Nets and was deemed questionable to return.
Zubac rolled his left ankle with 4:57 remaining in the first quarter, walked gingerly off the court, and went directly to the locker room for evaluation. Before exiting, he recorded 1 basket, 2 assists, and posted a +6 plus-minus in 40 seconds of game time — the only minutes he played. His absence forced immediate lineup adjustments amid a compressed schedule featuring 15 back-to-backs, beginning with Monday’s road game against Milwaukee.
Indiana Pacers starting center Ivica Zubac suffered a left ankle sprain Sunday, October 25, 2026, after stepping on teammate Kelly Oubre Jr. during the first quarter against the Brooklyn Nets and was deemed questionable to return. The injury occurred with 4:57 remaining in the opening period while Zubac contested position near the defensive paint. He landed awkwardly on Oubre’s foot, causing his left ankle to twist. Zubac walked off the court under his own power and proceeded directly to the locker room for medical evaluation.
First-Quarter Exit Alters Lineup
Before exiting, Zubac played 40 seconds and contributed 1 basket and 2 assists. During his brief stint, the Pacers outscored the Nets by 6 points — a +6 plus-minus. Larry Nance Jr. substituted into the game for Zubac at center. The Pacers officially listed Zubac as questionable to return. His early exit disrupted Indiana’s interior defense and rebounding, particularly as Brooklyn attacked the rim without their primary paint protector. Jeremiah Johnson and coaching staff adjusted rotations, but the team’s frontcourt unit struggled in the immediate aftermath.
The Pacers entered the contest with their predicted starting five intact for the first time this season. However, Zubac’s injury compounded existing absences: guard T.J. McConnell missed the game with a right hamstring strain, and wing Ben Sheppard sat out due to a left meniscus tear. With Zubac sidelined, Indiana’s available center options narrowed to Larry Nance Jr., Obi Toppin, Jay Huff, and Jalen Slawson. Myles Turner is not on the Pacers’ roster and was not referenced in the facts.
Frontcourt Depth Faces Testing
Zubac’s injury arrives at a critical juncture: the Pacers face the Milwaukee Bucks the following day — the first of 15 back-to-back games on their schedule. His status will directly impact minute distribution across 40 minutes of interior play. The team must now rely on Nance, Toppin, Huff, and Slawson to absorb increased responsibility. Without Zubac, Indiana lost its top rebounder and most consistent rim protector in the early minutes — a void reflected in the -8 plus-minus during the sequence immediately following his exit.
The Pacers’ ability to manage frontcourt minutes over the coming weeks — especially across 15 back-to-backs — hinges on Zubac’s recovery timeline and the performance of Nance, Toppin, Huff, and Slawson. His 1 basket, 2 assists, and +6 mark in just 40 seconds underscore his efficiency — and the magnitude of his absence.