Pacers' Zubac done for season with broken rib

Indiana Pacers center Ivica Zubac will miss the rest of the season after suffering a broken rib during Wednesday's loss to the Portland Trail Blazers, the Pacers announced Friday.

Zubac made only five appearances for the Pacers, who landed him from the Los Angeles Clippers at the trade deadline. An ankle injury delayed his team debut by a month.

Zubac averaged 14.4 points and 11 rebounds in 43 games for L.A. before posting 11.6 points and 7.2 rebounds with Indiana. The Pacers, who hold the worst record in the league (15-55) after reaching Game 7 of the NBA Finals last season, hope the 29-year-old can help them rebound next year when franchise cornerstone Tyrese Haliburton returns from a torn Achilles injury.

Indiana dealt Bennedict Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson, two first-round picks, and a second-round pick to acquire Zubac and Kobe Brown in February. The 2026 first-round selection heading to the Clippers is top-four protected.