Ivica Zubac ruled out for season with fractured rib
ivica-zubac-season-ending-fractured-rib-pacers
Indiana Pacers center Ivica Zubac will miss the remainder of the 2026-27 campaign after suffering a fractured rib during Wednesday’s loss to the Portland Trail Blazers, the team confirmed through The Indianapolis Star.
Zubac exited the game after absorbing an elbow from Portland rookie Donovan Clingan. He spoke postgame about a resulting head contusion, but the rib injury was discovered later. The club did not specify when the fracture occurred.
The 29-year-old was acquired from the Los Angeles Clippers at the February trade deadline but was still rehabbing a left ankle sprain and did not debut for Indiana until last week. He appeared in only five games with the Pacers — all defeats — averaging 11.6 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 23.6 minutes. Overall, injuries limited him to 48 games this season, in which he posted 14.1 points, 10.6 boards and 2.2 assists across 30.1 minutes.
Indiana traded for Zubac with future seasons in mind, envisioning a frontcourt anchored by him alongside star guard Tyrese Haliburton, who is recovering from an Achilles tear. With Zubac sidelined, head coach Rick Carlisle is expected to return Jay Huff to the starting lineup; Huff opened 15 of 16 games at center before Zubac’s arrival. Reserve big man Micah Potter, out the past two games with a right triceps strain, is likely to re-enter the rotation once cleared.
Source: HoopsRumors
