Zubac, Brown arrive in Indianapolis as Pacers await center’s debut

Pacers GM Chad Buchanan greets Ivica Zubac (and Kobe Brown) on the tarmac at Indianapolis International Airport on Feb. 8, 2026. (Photo: PS&E)

A few days after the trade call was completed with the NBA, the two newest Pacers touched down in their new home.

Center Ivica Zubac and guard Kobe Brown arrived in Indianapolis on Sunday aboard a private flight. Upon arrival, Pacers general manager Chad Buchanan was there to greet them and be the first to welcome them to their new team.

Meanwhile, across the border in Toronto, the Pacers had just lost to the Toronto Raptors. And, guard Johnny Furphy suffered a torn ACL in his right knee.

The players needed to get to Indy sooner than later so that they could be evaluated by the medical staff for their physicals — the final condition to a trade. Until that was completed, Bennedict Mathurin and Isaiah Jackson had to wait to suit up for the LA Clippers — which they plan to on Tuesday night.

Zubac and Brown spent Monday at team’s practice facility and were given a full tour of Ascension St. Vincent Center. That included a visit to introduce themselves to the sales and marketing staffs as well. The team emphasizes a family environment so they want players to feel the entire organization, beyond basketball operations.

Brown will be in uniform on Tuesday in New York City, but don’t expect Zubac to make his Pacers debut anytime soon.

Appearing on his weekly radio hit on 107.5 The Fan’s ‘The Morning Show’, Carlisle said Zubac will not play in the team’s back-to-back before the All-Star break — at New York and Brooklyn on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively.

“I don’t think he’s going to play for a while,” Carlisle said. “He’s got a lingering ankle situation. He was injured on Dec. 20 or something like that. Initially, it was deemed to be a four-to-six week injury. But this is guy that’s played 95% of his games since he’s been in the NBA, and he pushed to come back early. Their team was struggling.

“There’s just something in there still. There’s some discomfort, there’s some swelling. You admire the guy for slugging through. But at this point, it makes zero sense for him to be out on the floor in an NBA game if he’s not feeling as close to 100% as possible. I don’t know the timetable.”

In 43 games this season, Zubac is averaging 14.4 points and 11.0 rebounds per game as the starting center. His presence will shore up the biggest need for the Pacers. He’s under contract for two more seasons following the 2025-26 and at a cost of about $20 million per year. That’s below the market rate for a starting center, which made the deal even more appealing for Indiana’s front office.

“Zubac is a guy that is a tremendous center,” Carlisle told reporters after the trade. “He’s a top-ten center in the NBA. We have a great need. He brings things to the center position that we haven’t had in my tenure here.

“His level of physicality around the rim is really, he’s really one of the most prominent physical centers in the league. It’s physicality and skill and rebounding and offensive rebounding.”

Carlisle noted their shared respect for Dražen Petrović. He was an assistant coach for the New Jersey Nets when Petrović played there from 1991-93.

“Dražen was probably the most famous Croatian player of all time and certainly a legend,” Carlisle added. “Because of Dražen, I know a little bit of Croatian.”

Brown, who will wear No. 24, is a 6-foot-7 guard who is in the final year of his contract. He was the 30th overall pick in 2023 and should receive a valuable opportunity to play over the final 29 games.

“He’s a guy who’s had some good stretches,” said Carlisle. “And so we’ll see how it all goes with him, but this will be a great opportunity for him to change the scenery as well.”

The Boom wrap up a four-game road trip on Tuesday against the Long Island Nets in Laval, Quebec. Forward Jalen Slawson has been on a tear lately, posting at least 19 points and 10 rebounds in consecutive games. He recorded his first career triple-double — 19-15-11 — on Feb. 6 against Osceola. Guard Cody Martin remains out with a left calf injury.

Two-way guard Ethan Thompson will represent the Pacers in the G League Next Up Game this weekend in Los Angeles. He will also participate in the G League 3-point contest, and teammate Gabe McGlthan will compete in the G League slam dunk contest.

Brownsburg High School celebrated Gordon Hayward last Thursday and retired his jersey.

Before Butler and a 14-year NBA career, Gordon Hayward led Brownsburg to a state championship. He was honored Thursday night with a jersey retirement ceremony. ‘It’s just really special.’ bit.ly/4bFFfFl

2:10 PM · Feb 6, 2026 · 40.8K Views

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Trayce Jackson-Davis was traded from the Warriors to the Raptors, and he made his debut Sunday vs. the Pacers. He finished with 10 points and 10 rebounds in 16 minutes off the bench. On Friday, Center Grove High School will be retiring his No. 23 jersey.

If you subscribe to SiriusXM, you may have heard me on “NBA Insiders” Sunday at 10:30 a.m. ET. I joined Amin Elhassan and Ben Lyons to discuss the trade. Then, I joined Jake Query’s program on 107.5 The Fan Tuesday at 12:30 p.m. (Click here for the podcast episode)

Furphy crumbled to the court in pain, holding his right knee. (Photo: FDSNI)

An MRI scan on Monday confirmed the Pacers’ fear: 21-year-old guard Johnny Furphy, indeed, had suffered a torn right ACL. His season was over.

In a season when the Pacers (13-40) will never be at full strength and are currently at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings, a big opportunity was there for Furphy, among others.

He’s started in 21 of 35 appearances and his production has increased ever since his move to the starting lineup. His rebounding, defense, and activity level had impressed this season.

“It’s a very unfortunate situation, but Johnny is young, and I fully expect him to make a full recovery,” Carlisle said on 107.5 The Fan.

Pacers guard Johnny Furphy suffers season-ending right knee injury

Beyond Furphy, several other Pacers have injuries of note.

Aaron Nesmith, T.J. McConnell, and Micah Potter were each listed as questionable, but will be available Tuesday against the Knicks. Jarace Walker, a late addition to the injury report due to illness, is out.

I expect all three two-way players to be with the Pacers given the report and back-to-back: Quenton Jackson, Ethan Thompson, and Taelon Peter.

For the Knicks, OG Anunoby, Mitchell Robinson, and Miles McBride are out.

PODCAST: Live reaction show: Pacers land their center in Ivica Zubac trade

The arrival of Zubac and Brown meant the departure of two Pacers first-round picks: Bennedict Mathurin and Isaiah Jackson.

Those two arrived in Los Angeles on Friday, one day after the trade. They were welcomed with sunshine and a full tour of the team’s facility.

Both players must now embrace a fresh start. Mathurin isn’t 100% healthy, but he’s in a contract year while Jackson is in the first year of a three-year deal signed with the Pacers before this season.

“We’ve had a significant journey with both,” Carlisle said on the day of the deal. “They’ve both developed as young men, they’ve both developed as players. And it’s emotional when you get to a situation like this…”

After all players had completed physicals and thus the deal was completed on Monday, both players posted heartfelt messages (and photos) to social media.

(Mathurin is now No. 9 and Jackson will wear No. 23.)

Mathurin on Instagram

Forever grateful

Thank you to the Pacers organization, the city of Indy, and the fans who showed love from day one. Thank you for believing in me, drafting me, and giving me the opportunity to grow, compete, and represent this franchise.

This chapter showed me great life lessons, growth, battles and amazing memories. I’ll always carry them with me.

To my teammates, coaches, staff, and everyone behind the scenes: thank you for pushing me to be better every single day.

On to the next chapter. 🙏🏾

Love Benn

Jackson on Instagram

Indy, since day one you’ve always shown me love. Coming into the league as a 19 year old, Every teammate and coach taught me so many life lessons. How to be a pro, taking accountability and my work ethic. These lessons shaped me into the man I am today. I also learned to never change who you are, no matter how good or bad things may get. So I just want to thank the Pacers for accepting me and my family as one of their own!!

God has a plan and I’m very grateful for the ups and the down over these past five years!!

It’s always love Indy❤️

Also, I think it’s worth sharing a sample of replies from their teammates. This was Mathurin’s post, but the same was true for Jackson.

With no game on Saturday night, I returned to Gainbridge Fieldhouse — unofficially, my second home — for a country concert.

Rascal Flatts headlined the show, and they were joined by Chris Lane and Lauren Alaina.

To conclude the tour stop, two of the three members of Rascal Flatts — Joe Don Rooney, and Jay DeMarcus — returned to the stage for an encore in Icon Edition Pacers jersey.

Click here for the full story.

By now, you likely know that I’m also a play-by-play broadcaster. I’ve been the Voice of IU Indy women’s basketball since 2015. I also call games at Butler, high schools, along with high school state finals.

I had the call of IU Indy v Cleveland State on ESPN+ last Wednesday — and the lead game official was Michael McConnell. Yes, that’s T.J.’s uncle.

Basketball is life in the McConnell household. His dad was a coach. His aunts are legendary coaches as well. T.J. inevitably will be a coach.

But Michael chose officiating. It was good to catch up with him before tipoff.