Pacers center Ivica Zubac has been formally ruled out of Monday's game against the Bucks in Milwaukee with a left ankle sprain according to the NBA's official injury report. Andrew Nembhard is questionable with neck stiffness and Aaron Nesmith is due his hamstring injury.
Zubac turned his ankle in the first quarter of Sunday's game against the Nets in Brooklyn and did not return. Zubac reportedly left the Barclays Center on crutches though Pacers coach Rick Carlisle told reporters in Brooklyn that x-rays were negative for a fracture. Carlisle did say there was swelling in the ankle and he didn't expect Zubac to be available Monday.
Zubac scored 25 points and posted 26 rebounds in the season's first two games. Acquired from the Clippers in a significant trade in February, Zubac averaged 14.1 points and 10.6 rebounds per game last season combined with the Pacers and Clippers and 16.8 points and 12.6 rebounds with Los Angeles in 2024-25 when he was named second-team All Defense.
With Zubac out, the Pacers have two nominal centers on the roster in Jay Huff and Larry Nance Jr. but could also use power forwards Pascal Siakam and Obi Toppin at the 5. Huff recorded 14 points and three blocks in Monday's win and finished second in the NBA in total blocks last season.
Guard Ben Sheppard (left meniscus tear), point guard T.J. McConnell (hamstring) and forward Johnny Furphy (ACL tear) are also out leaving the Pacers with 10 available standard contract players.
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This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Pacers confirm bad injury news on C Ivica Zubac's status for Monday's game vs Bucks