Getty
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - FEBRUARY 06: Head coach Rick Carlisle of the Indiana Pacers looks on during the first quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum on February 06, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
The Indiana Pacers have been one of the worst teams in the NBA this season. They have the worst record in the Eastern Conference and the second-worst record in the league. It has been a year filled with injuries, which is why they have played so poorly.
Without Tyrese Haliburton leading the offense, Indiana has the worst offense in the league. Despite this, the Pacers made the decision to trade for Ivica Zubac. Indiana traded Bennedict Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson, and two first-round picks for Zubac and Kobe Brown.
Zubac has yet to play for the team since the trade was executed. Rick Carlisle was asked when he could possibly play for the first time, and he didn’t give a firm timeline.
GettyLos Angeles Clippers center Ivica Zubac grabs the ball. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Rick Carlisle Doesn’t Give Firm Timeline on Ivica Zubac Playing for the Pacers
While speaking on 93.5 The Fan in Indianapolis, Carlisle talked about when Zubac could first play for Indiana and whether it would be one of the next two nights.
“No. I don’t think he’s going to play for a while. He’s got a lingering ankle situation. He was injured December 20th or something like that. Initially, it was deemed to be a four-to-six week injury, but this is a guy who has played in 95 percent of his games in the NBA. He pushed to come back early; his team was struggling. There’s just something in there still. There’s discomfort, there’s some swelling.”
Carlisle then made it clear that he will not be playing until he feels totally healthy.
“At this point, it makes zero sense for him to be out on the floor in an NBA game if he’s not feeling as close to 100 percent as possible. I don’t know the timetable. He will not play in these two games, and we’ll see what’s what coming out of the break.”
GettyLos Angeles Clippers center Ivica Zubac looks on. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
The Pacers Have no Need to Rush Ivica Zubac to Play
With how far down the Pacers are in the standings, it doesn’t make any sense for Zubac to play until he’s healthy. Zubac needs to be fully healthy before he gets on the court. Zubac will make the team better, which means they could end up winning more games with him in the lineup.
Indiana doesn’t want to win many more games down the stretch, as they want to keep their 2026 first-round pick. They lose the pick to the Clippers if it falls in the 5-9 range, which would be a massive loss for the Pacers. Adding a top-four pick would help them replace Mathurin in the lineup.
It’s unclear when Zubac will get on the floor and start to build some chemistry with his new teammates. It still doesn’t make sense for him to play until he’s fully healthy with that ankle. Perhaps the Pacers will lose a few more games before allowing him to return to the floor.