Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle indicated on Friday that newly acquired center Ivica Zubac could be held out until after the All-Star break before making his first appearance with the Pacers, according to Jamal Collier of ESPN.
Zubac continues to manage the aftereffects of a Grade 2 ankle sprain suffered in December, and Carlisle made it clear the organization wants to ensure the injury is completely resolved before he returns to action.
“It’s kind of yo-yo’d a little bit,” Carlisle said. “My understanding from talking to him is that there’s still something there that’s not quite right. We’re not going to put him out there until he’s really ready.
“… He’s a guy that has played 94 or 95 percent of his games through his career and I’m presuming that’s because he’s always raring to go through things. That’s not going to be an option here.”
This season, the big man is averaging 14.4 points, 11.0 rebounds, and 2.2 assists while playing 30.9 minutes per game across 43 appearances.
Injury Notes: Furphy, Zubac, Giannis, CMB, Luka, Thiero https://t.co/XGu7aVZlQx pic.twitter.com/eTIWd3qNO0
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) February 9, 2026
