Pacers confirm bad injury news on C Ivica Zubac's status for Monday's game vs Bucks

The Indiana Pacers have announced that their center Ivica Zubac will not play in Monday's game against the Milwaukee Bucks due to a left ankle sprain. This news comes from the NBA's official injury report. Andrew Nembhard is listed as questionable with neck stiffness, while Aaron Nesmith will miss the game due to a hamstring injury.

Zubac suffered the injury during the first quarter of Sunday's game against the Brooklyn Nets, leaving the court on crutches. However, Pacers coach Rick Carlisle revealed that x-rays were negative for a fracture. He also mentioned that the player's ankle is swollen and does not expect Zubac to be available for the upcoming match.

Zubac had a strong start to the season, scoring 25 points and grabbing 26 rebounds in the Pacers' first two games. He was acquired from the Los Angeles Clippers in a significant trade in February and averaged 14.1 points and 10.6 rebounds per game last season, combined with both the Pacers and Clippers. Zubac also earned a second-team All-Defense nomination in the 2024-25 season.

With Zubac sidelined, the Pacers will rely on Jay Huff and Larry Nance Jr. as their primary centers, although they might deploy power forwards Pascal Siakam and Obi Toppin at the 5 spot. Additionally, the team is without Ben Sheppard (left meniscus tear), T.J. McConnell (hamstring), and Johnny Furphy (ACL tear), leaving them with just 10 available players under standard contracts.