Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle said Friday that newly acquired center Ivica Zubac is still managing an ankle issue and will not make his Pacers debut until he is fully healthy.
“It’s kind of yo-yo’d a little bit,” Carlisle said on Friday. “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.”
Indiana acquired Zubac along with Kobe Brown in a trade completed Thursday. Zubac is also currently on paternity leave, further delaying his availability.
Despite the setback, Carlisle emphasized that caution is necessary given Zubac’s history of playing through injuries.
The veteran center has appeared in 43 games this season and has been known for his durability throughout his career.
“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,” Carlisle said. “That’s not going to be an option here.”
The Pacers, who currently hold the second-worst record in the league at 13-39, are prioritizing health over urgency as they continue to evaluate their roster during a difficult season.
