{
  "id": 18041046,
  "title": "Pacers get good news on center Ivica Zubac for game against Grizzlies",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/04/pacers-get-good-news-on-center-ivica-zubac-for-game-against-grizzlies",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-11-04T00:06:10.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/pacers-good-news-center-ivica-000610092.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Indiana Pacers received positive news regarding their center Ivica Zubac on the eve of their upcoming game against the Memphis Grizzlies. Zubac, who had been listed as questionable due to a left ankle sprain he sustained during the Pacers' previous victory in Brooklyn on October 25, was now upgraded to questionable status for the Wednesday matchup.\n\nForward Obi Toppin, who had missed the last three games with a lumbar sprain, was also deemed questionable for the upcoming contest. Kelly Oubre Jr., who had been scratched from the previous Monday's game due to a left calf contusion, remained listed as questionable after he had been suffering from what was initially diagnosed as a left knee bruise.\n\nSeveral other players, including forwards Pascal Siakam and Aaron Nesmith, and guard Andrew Nembhard, sat out Monday's game as part of a strategy to manage fatigue and injuries following a back-to-back schedule. Larry Nance Jr., the team's forward/center, was absent from the game due to illness.\n\nDespite these challenges, the Pacers could still field a strong frontcourt contingent for the Wednesday game. The team has access to up to ten regular-season contract players, while three two-way contract players - forwards Jalen Slawson and Kobe Brown, and point guard Braden Smith - are listed as questionable. All three players, including rookie Smith who showcased his talent in a double-double performance during Monday's game, have previously scored in double figures and logged at least 37 minutes during the last game.",
  "summary": "Pacers center Ivica Zubac got good news on the injury report for Wednesday's game vs. the Grizzlies. Updates on Obi Toppin and Kelly Oubre Jr. too",
  "key_points": [
    "Ivica Zubac upgraded to questionable for Grizzlies game",
    "Obi Toppin and Kelly Oubre Jr. also questionable",
    "Pacers can field strong frontcourt with up to ten players"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The potential return of Zubac offers the Pacers much-needed stability in a frontcourt currently struggling with a significant wave of injuries and fatigue management.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}