By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The Indiana Pacers are shaping their frontcourt identity around Ivica Zubac as they enter the 2026–27 NBA Regular Season. After launching the Preseason 2026 Wednesday with a win over the Minnesota Timberwolves, where 29-year-old Zubac tallied six points, three rebounds, two assists, and one steal, the Croatian center revisited the task of learning to play with point guard Tyrese Haliburton.
“You can practice as much as you want, but game reps are always going to be different,” he talked about sharing the floor with the two-time All-Star after team practice on Friday. “Felt good. Just to kind of see what looks we’re going to get out there, how the teams are going to guard us, getting used to our offense. Just kind of finding myself. Where I need to be in some situations.”
Having adjusted his summer training to fit Indiana’s uptempo style, Zubac acknowledged that syncing with his new group takes time. “A lot of the possessions I felt like I was kind of in the way,” he added. “It’s normal. I’m new to the team, new to this style of play.”
The veteran of 684 NBA games noted that building a smooth pick-and-roll partnership requires adapting to Haliburton’s speed. “I knew he likes to play fast, but I was a little surprised,” he said.
Furthermore, Zubac credited former teammates for teaching him frontcourt positioning. “Early in my career I played with Andrew Bogut, a good screener, Tyson Chandler, I would say Brook Lopez, Timofey Mozgov also, and had Joakim Noah for a bit,” he mentioned. “I had a lot of good defensive bigs who set a lot of good screens. A lot of those guys were focused on doing that stuff a little bit more than just scoring. I picked up a lot from each one of them.”
The Pacers host the Atlanta Hawks at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Saturday. They wrap up their exhibition schedule against the Oklahoma City Thunder and Milwaukee Bucks next week, then debut in the Regular Season on October 21 against the New Orleans Pelicans in Smoothie King Center.
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