Indiana Pacers center Ivica Zubac was ruled out for Monday's game at Milwaukee with a sprained left ankle. He had been listed day-to-day since Sunday, and the Pacers are already without three other players.
What happened
Zubac moved from day-to-day to out on the Monday, Oct. 26 injury report, posted at 2:31 p.m. ET. The report lists the injury as a left ankle issue. He had been listed day-to-day on Sunday, Oct. 25, with the same ankle designation. Head coach Rick Carlisle said X-rays on the sprained left ankle came back negative, but Zubac has some swelling and is unlikely to play Monday in Milwaukee, Scott Agness of FieldhouseFiles.com reports. The report lists Oct. 28 as his expected return date. The Pacers have not announced a longer timeline.
What it means for the Pacers
Indiana plays at the Bucks on Monday at 8:00 p.m. ET. The Pacers are 2-1, sixth in the standings, and have won their last game. Zubac has played all three of those games, averaging 21.4 minutes, 9.0 points, 9.0 rebounds and 1.3 assists. The Pacers are 2-1 with him and have not yet played without him this season. Tyrese Haliburton (32.4 minutes), Andrew Nembhard (31.9) and Pascal Siakam (29.9) carry the heaviest rotation loads. Obi Toppin (23.2), Kelly Oubre Jr. (22.3), Aaron Nesmith (19.8), Jarace Walker (18.2) and Quenton Jackson (16.8) fill out the group. Ben Sheppard, Johnny Furphy and T.J. McConnell are also out.
What to watch
The next injury report will show whether Zubac's status changes before Indiana's following game. The Pacers list Oct. 28 as his expected return, and Carlisle has not given any other timeline. Watch how swelling in the ankle develops, since the coach pointed to it on Monday. Also watch the other three absences. Sheppard, Furphy and McConnell are all listed out, which leaves Indiana short on depth in Milwaukee. Any change would appear on the next report.
Is Ivica Zubac playing against the Bucks on Monday?
No. Zubac is listed out for Monday's game at Milwaukee, which starts at 8:00 p.m. ET, with a sprained left ankle.
When will Ivica Zubac be back?
The injury report lists Oct. 28 as his expected return date. Beyond that, no timeline has been announced.