![\"zubac\"](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/01km9p74e19m36tq5af5.jpg\" "\\"zubac\\"")
<\/p>\nThe Indiana Pacers continued their losing streak, falling to the San Antonio Spurs, 134\u2013119.<\/p>\n
Indiana has now lost 16 consecutive games, more than it has won all season (15).<\/p>\n
If there was any good news, the Pacers were relatively healthy. Andrew Nembhard and Pascal Siakam returned to the lineup, leaving Tyrese Haliburton, Johnny Furphy and recently injured Ivica Zubac as the only unavailable players on the 15-man roster.<\/p>\n
Before the game, head coach Rick Carlisle provided clarity on how Zubac suffered his season-ending rib injury.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt happened in the first quarter of the Portland game. He\u2019s not exactly sure when it happened, but later that night, he had a lot of difficulty sleeping. Didn\u2019t get much sleep at all. Came in the next day, got the MRI, and there\u2019s a non-displaced fracture. If you\u2019ve ever had rib stuff, it\u2019s kind of the worst because breathing bothers it. Coughing bothers it. Sneezing is impossible, and laughing \u2014 you just can\u2019t do it. He\u2019s going to be uncomfortable for a while, but he will make a full recovery. But it\u2019s a tough break for us because we were looking forward to seeing as much of that core group together as possible, and now it\u2019s not going to happen.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rick Carlisle on Zubac Injury<\/p>\n
Mar 18, 2026; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers center Ivica Zubac (40) shoots the ball as Portland Trail Blazers center Donovan Clingan (23) defends in the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images | Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images<\/p>\n
Zubac\u2019s injury is another setback in what has been a difficult season for Indiana. His arrival generated intrigue about how his physical interior presence would mesh with the Pacers\u2019 core, particularly alongside Siakam, but that pairing will now have to wait.<\/p>\n
From Tyrese Haliburton\u2019s injury in Game 7 of the NBA Finals in Oklahoma City to now, the Pacers have struggled to find momentum. Even the Zubac trade, while intriguing, came with added pressure due to the risk tied to Indiana\u2019s 2026 first-round pick.<\/p>\n
On the floor, there were still some positives.<\/p>\n
![\"nembhard\"](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/01km9p83gzg7bm967ccd.jpg\" "\\"nembhard\\"")
<\/p>\n
Mar 21, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard (2) shoots over San Antonio Spurs forward Harrison Barnes (40) in the first half at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images | Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images<\/p>\n
Nembhard impressed in his return, finishing with 25 points on 8-of-13 shooting and 7-of-9 from the free-throw line in 28 minutes. Siakam showed some rust, scoring 14 points on 6-of-14 shooting while adding five assists.<\/p>\n
Jarace Walker delivered one of his most efficient offensive performances of the season, scoring 21 points on 8-of-10 shooting, including 5-of-7 from three-point range. He also contributed four assists and four rebounds.<\/p>\n
Pascal Siakam was a bit rusty in his return, scoring just 14 points on 6-14 shooting, but he did have 5 assists, and had a stretch where he rattled off seven-points in a row. <\/p>\n
![\"wemby\"](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/01km9p987hny0npn3a98.jpg\" "\\"wemby\\"")
<\/p>\n
Mar 21, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) dunks in the first half against the Indiana Pacers at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images | Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images<\/p>\n
For San Antonio, Victor Wembanyama nearly recorded a five-by-five performance. After entering the game as questionable, he finished with 20 points, eight rebounds, six assists, five blocks and one steal.<\/p>\n
Keldon Johnson provided a major spark off the bench, scoring 24 points on 10-of-12 shooting, while Dylan Harper added 24 points of his own on 9-of-13 from the field.<\/p>\n
![\"fox\"](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/01km9patef83hrqvh7a1.jpg\" "\\"fox\\"")
<\/p>\n
Mar 21, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard De’aaron Fox (4) goes up for a shot behind Indiana Pacers guard Quenton Jackson (29) in the first half at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images | Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images<\/p>\n
San Antonio controlled the game physically, out-rebounding Indiana 49\u201326 and dominating the paint with a 76\u201348 advantage.<\/p>\n
The Pacers did move the ball well, finishing with 38 assists (on 44 made shots) and just nine turnovers, but it wasn\u2019t enough to overcome the Spurs\u2019 interior dominance.<\/p>\n
Indiana will look to snap its losing streak Monday night against the Orlando Magic.<\/p>\n