Ivica Zubac was upgraded from out on Thursday and is projected to return Oct. 30 at Miami in the Emirates NBA Cup. Indiana needs the size after a 39-21 fourth quarter turned a 13-point lead into a 114-109 loss to Philadelphia.
Zubac and the rotation
Zubac has played three games, averaging 9.0 points and 9.0 rebounds in 21.4 minutes. Without him, Jay Huff closed Wednesday at center and finished plus-5 in 16 minutes. Tyrese Haliburton is out with a left hamstring injury and projected back Nov. 13. McConnell's right hamstring keeps him out, with Nov. 2 against the Hawks as his projected return.
Where the fourth went
Indiana scored 36 in the third and held Philadelphia to 13, then scored 21 in the fourth and gave up 39. Tony East of Forbes reported the Pacers opened the period 1 of 12 shooting. Tyrese Maxey scored 17 of his 27 in the final quarter. The reserves scored 29, and Larry Nance Jr. was minus-12 in 23 minutes. East also noted Indiana has held a fourth-quarter lead in four of five games. The trouble is finishing those games.
Miami, then two at home
The Heat are 1-4, with Giannis Antetokounmpo at 27.6 points and 11.2 rebounds and Davion Mitchell at 7.6 assists. Miami lists Simone Fontecchio with an illness. Indiana gets one day of rest after four games in seven days, and Miami gets two. The Nets visit Nov. 1 and the Hawks follow Nov. 2. Andrew Nembhard handed out 14 assists Wednesday but shot 1 of 7 from three. The open question is whether he can run this offense for two more weeks if his shot doesn't come around.
When will Ivica Zubac return for the Pacers?
Zubac was upgraded from out on Oct. 29 and is projected to return Oct. 30 at Miami.
How long will Tyrese Haliburton be out?
Haliburton is out with a left hamstring injury. His projected return is Nov. 13.
