The Pacers faced some criticism for trading away several unprotected first-rounders, including the No. 5 pick in the 2026 draft, to acquire Ivitsa Zubak in the last season, and Tony East of Forbes notes there were questions about how the big man would fit into Indiana’s rushing attack.
Zubac, who is averaging 10.8 points and 8.9 rebounds in 23.4 minutes per game through the first eight games this fall, is still adjusting to the Pacers’ system and personnel. That process has been slowed by ankle and rib injuries that limited him to just five outings with his new team last season, as well as a recent five-game absence with another sprained ankle.
But the team and the veteran center are starting to see positive results, as East detailed. Zubak has three double-doubles in his last four games and Indiana, which has lost all five games it has missed, has a 5-3 record when he is available.
“It’s faster, probably.” Zubak said of the Pacers offense. “It’s a different style, but at the end of the (day), it’s still basketball. (I) just have to trust my instincts. … It’s different, but it’s the same at the same time. So you just have to trust the process and it’ll work out.”
Here’s more from across the Central Division:
- Things seemed to go from bad to worse this week Bykovwho were 1-9 when they lost Caleb Wilson to a broken arm. However, Chicago responded with wins over Atlanta on Friday and Minnesota on Saturday for its first winning streak of the season. “Our jobs are also at risk” Buddy Hield said after Saturday’s victory, trans Joe Cawley of The Chicago Sun-Times. “The organization is in a position where they’re trying to figure out where they’re going. No disrespect to Caleb, but we’ve got guys that have been in the league for more than four or five years and we understand what it takes to win. Putting all the BS aside and being a good teammate, going out to compete, making winning plays, that translates into wins.”
- The Bykov appointed a recruit Daleen Swain and recently signed center Orlando Robinson to the G League, the team announced today (via Twitter). The Windy City Bulls are in action on Sunday afternoon, so it looks like both players will suit up for Chicago’s NBAGL affiliate against the Wisconsin Herd. In his G League debut earlier this month, Swain had 16 points, nine assists and eight rebounds in 23 minutes of action.
- Returning to Cleveland on Saturday as a member Mavericksa veteran of the Guard Kyrie Irving is reflected in being part of art Cavaliers‘ 2016 championship team, claiming it was “one of the toughest championships” in league history to win, for Christian Clark of The Athletic. The Cavs came back from a 3-1 deficit to defeat the Warriors 73-9 in that year’s NBA Finals. “The championship was so hard,” Irving said. “I came back from injury. A broken patella that year. Didn’t play well when I came back. Didn’t finish the fourth quarter well. And I just felt like there was a lot of pressure on me to do well. … I’m so thankful for all the Cavs fans, Cleveland in general. Ohio put their arms around me. And also stuck with me when I was a young man shooting, trying to be the best player in the world.”
