Just before the NBA trade deadline, the Indiana Pacers secured Ivica Zubac from the LA Clippers in a deal that sent Bennedict Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson, and three draft picks Los Angeles’ way. The trade aims to replace the void left by the departure of longtime center Myles Turner, giving the Pacers a fresh presence in the paint from a player seasoned in playoff battles. Fans in Indiana are eager to see what the 7-foot center will contribute, especially as the team rebuilds.
However, Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle provided an update indicating that Zubac’s arrival on the court will not be immediate, citing an ankle problem that the player has been managing for some time.
Coach Carlisle Provides Update on Zubac’s Recovery
According to reports from Pacers beat writer Dustin Dopirak, Carlisle revealed that Zubac would likely need additional time before fully joining the team and competing. The coach emphasized the importance of addressing Zubac’s ongoing ankle issue rather than rushing his return.
“Carlisle says Zubac might take a little longer to join the team and start playing because he does have an ankle issue that he’s been playing through and they want to get that right,” Dustin Dopirak, Pacers beat writer
Ivica Zubac’s Performance with the Clippers This Season
Despite his ankle concerns, Zubac has maintained a significant presence for the Clippers during the current season, appearing in 43 of their first 49 games. In his final stretch with the team, he averaged 11.0 rebounds per game, leading the Clippers in that category, while emerging as their third-leading scorer behind stars James Harden and Kawhi Leonard. This solid performance highlights Zubac’s value as a reliable center capable of contributing on both ends of the floor.
Long-Term Potential for the Pacers With Zubac
While immediate progress may be limited, the acquisition of Zubac is viewed as a strategic move focused on future seasons. The Pacers are unlikely to break into the play-in tournament this year, but by the 2026-27 campaign, Zubac will have the opportunity to build chemistry alongside teammates such as Tyrese Haliburton, who is expected to be fully recovered by then, and NBA champion Pascal Siakam. This combination could boost the team’s competitiveness moving forward.
For now, the franchise and its supporters will need patience as Zubac works through his ankle injury to contribute fully on the court.
Kawhi Leonard Reflects on Zubac’s Departure from the Clippers
Following the trade, Kawhi Leonard, who shared a locker room with Ivica Zubac for over six seasons, expressed his emotional response to losing his teammate and friend. Leonard described the trade as a personal loss and acknowledged the impact Zubac had within the Clippers’ ranks.
“It’s like losing a brother. Somebody that will be missed. Played a lot of games with him. A lot of battles. He’s a face we’re gonna miss in the locker [room],” Kawhi Leonard, LA Clippers forward
Leonard and Zubac joined the Clippers organization within months of one another back in 2019, and their numerous shared on-court battles have made Zubac’s absence in Inglewood deeply felt.
