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BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – NOVEMBER 16: Ivica Zubac #40 of the LA Clippers looks on during the second half against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on November 16, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtics defeat the Clippers 121-118. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
The Indiana Pacers have had a season full of injuries in 2025-26. They knew that they would be without Tyrese Haliburton for the entire year. He is still recovering from a torn Achilles tendon that he suffered during Game 7 of the NBA Finals last year.
A ton of other key players have caught the injury bug in Indiana. Several other starters and key bench players have missed huge swaths of time because of injuries. Obi Toppin is one of them. He has been out for several months with a stress fracture in his foot.
Ivica Zubac has yet to play for the Pacers since he was traded to Indiana because of his own injury. He has been dealing with an ankle injury. Rick Carlisle gave an update on both players’ progress and when they will be back on the court.
The Pacers Give Bleak Injury News on Multiple Players
When asked about the status of both Zubac and Toppin, Carlisle didn’t give an encouraging update on either player. In fact, it doesn’t seem like either will be playing basketball for a while. They were able to do some stuff in practice, however.
“Some stuff. They’re both making steady, but gradual progress, and it’s going to be a while.”
It makes sense that the team is being very cautious with both players. They are clearly tanking in order to keep their 2026 first-round draft pick. They only keep it if the pick lands in the 1-4 or the 10-30 range. That likely means they only keep it if they stay in the bottom four.
Having Zubac play some games with his new teammates at the end of the season is important for next year, even if the Pacers don’t want to win games now. Indiana has the worst offense in the NBA this year, but it needs to develop some chemistry with their new starting center.
GettyIndiana Pacers forward Obi Toppin runs down the court. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
The Indiana Pacers Won’t Rush Injured Players Back
With Indiana being in the draft situation they are in, the Pacers will not be rushing anyone back from injury. Toppin likely won’t return until sometime in March. Zubac likely will come back sooner than Toppin, only for the fact that he needs to log some minutes with Pascal Siakam, Andrew Nembhard, and Aaron Nesmith.
There will be plenty of games down the stretch where the young guys will get plenty of run. Johnny Furphy did tear his ACL right before the All-Star break, so that ruined his chances of developing further this season. Kam Jones and newly acquired Kobe Brown will be getting a lot of playing time.
Next season, the Pacers see themselves as NBA title contenders. The trade for Zubac was made with that in mind. Keeping their current guys healthy for next season is the most important edict for the team as they try to keep their title window open.
Ryan Stano Ryan Stano covers the NBA for Heavy.com. He has been covering sports since 2017, covering the NFL, College Football, College Basketball, and the NBA. His work has been featured on Yahoo, Bleacher Report, FanSided, and Sports Illustrated. More about Ryan Stano
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