Pacers Face Nets as Center Ivica Zubac Exits Game With Ankle Injury
Indiana center Ivica Zubac was ruled out for the remainder of Sunday's matchup in Brooklyn after spraining his left ankle in the first quarter.
Indiana Pacers center Ivica Zubac exited Sunday evening's game against the Brooklyn Nets at the Barclays Center after suffering a left ankle sprain during the first quarter. Zubac sustained the injury while going for a rebound when he stepped on teammate Kelly Oubre Jr., forcing him to head directly to the locker room.
Prior to his departure, Zubac contributed two points, two assists, and one rebound in limited action. The team officially announced at halftime via social media that the center would not return to the floor. Larry Nance Jr. entered the game off the bench to replace the injured center.
Zubac entered Sunday's contest averaging 12.5 points and 13.0 rebounds over the first two games of the season, converting 11 of his 19 field goal attempts. The veteran big man was acquired by Indiana in February in a trade with the Los Angeles Clippers that sent Bennedict Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson, and multiple draft picks to the West Coast. Zubac previously earned a selection to the 2024-25 NBA All-Defensive team and has a history of managing ankle issues.
The matchup in Brooklyn marks a crucial bounce-back opportunity for the Pacers, who entered Sunday with a 1-1 record following a lopsided home loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Friday night. Oddsmakers installed Indiana as 7.5-point favorites entering the contest, though the team has yet to cover the spread in the early portion of the 2026-27 season.
Meanwhile, the Brooklyn Nets hosted the Pacers on the second night of a back-to-back following a narrow four-point defeat to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday night. Brooklyn opened its campaign with a pair of losses, including a seven-point setback against the Charlotte Hornets, as the franchise integrates high-profile additions Julius Randle and Michael Porter Jr. alongside a roster featuring numerous young players.
Indiana's backcourt continues to be anchored by star guard Tyrese Haliburton, who has played heavy minutes early in the year after returning from an Achilles injury. Haliburton entered Sunday averaging 9.5 assists per game, maintaining his role as the primary offensive engine for an Indiana squad with high expectations in the Eastern Conference.
The game serves as the front end of a demanding back-to-back schedule for the Pacers, who are slated to face the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday. The Nets, meanwhile, continue to navigate a difficult stretch in a competitive conference while relying on their veteran acquisitions to steady the team.