Overview
- Coach Rick Carlisle said Ivica Zubac and Kobe Brown will not play before Tuesday at the Knicks pending physicals, and Zubac could start later because of the ankle.
- Indiana acquired Zubac and Brown from the Clippers for Bennedict Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson, a protected 2026 first-round pick, a 2029 first and a 2028 second to address a need at center after losing Myles Turner.
- Carlisle described Zubac’s issue as a December ankle injury that has “yo-yoed” and said the Pacers will wait until he is “really ready.”
- Zubac missed his last Clippers game after the birth of his first child and is on paternity leave.
- The 2026 pick is kept if it lands 1–4 or 10–30 and conveys to Los Angeles if it lands 5–9, otherwise rolling to an unprotected 2031 first; Zubac is averaging about 14.4 points and 11.0 rebounds this season.