The Indiana Pacers’ hopes of getting a boost from new addition Ivica Zubac hit a wall as the 29 year old center suffered a fractured rib during last Wednesday’s (March 18) loss to the Trail Blazers, ending his season early.

Zubac, acquired at the trade deadline in February in a deal that sent two first-round picks and Benedict Mathurin to the LA Clippers, finally made his Pacers debut last week after sitting out due to an ankle injury, but only managed five games before injury struck again.

Indiana, already eliminated from the playoffs and sitting at 15–50 with 12 games left, now faces the remainder of the season without a key piece.

Zubac was expected to fill the void left by Myles Turner’s departure and pair with Tyrese Haliburton for a dynamic pick-and-roll attack next season, but fans will have to wait until 2026–27 to see that combination in action.