The Indiana Pacers are working through preseason adjustments following a significant trade for center Ivica Zubac, a move the franchise believes is key to its championship aspirations. This process continued in a tight 114-112 preseason loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on October 13, 2026. With the regular season looming, the focus is on building chemistry and ironing out flaws before the games start to count.
The Pacers' exhibition schedule has been a mixed bag of results as they experiment with lineups. They opened with a solid 123-112 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on October 7. That was followed by a narrow 119-117 defeat to the Atlanta Hawks on October 10, a game where star guard Tyrese Haliburton was sidelined. The most recent outing was another close one, a 114-112 loss to the Thunder. These games are less about the final score and more about evaluating rotations and integrating new pieces into head coach Rick Carlisle's system.
Acquiring Ivica Zubac from the Los Angeles Clippers was the Pacers' headline move after the departure of Myles Turner. Team officials are confident Zubac's presence as the starting center will help maintain a championship-level ceiling. His role is to anchor the defense, control the paint, and provide a reliable pick-and-roll partner for Haliburton. The preseason is the first real test of that fit in game conditions. While the offensive flow and defensive communication are still a work in progress, the organization sees Zubac as the missing piece to solidify their frontcourt for a deep playoff run.
Tyrese Haliburton missed the preseason contest against the Atlanta Hawks due to injury management. His availability is obviously most important for the Pacers' high-octane offense. The team has been cautious, using the preseason to ensure he is fully ready for the regular season grind. When on the court, his playmaking and scoring set the tone for the entire roster. Keeping him healthy is the single most important factor for Indiana's success, making his preseason absence a prudent decision rather than a major concern.
The Pacers have one final preseason opportunity to refine their play before the real action begins. They host the Milwaukee Bucks at home on October 16, 2026. This matchup offers a stern test against a perennial Eastern Conference contender and will be a valuable dress rehearsal. After that, the focus shifts entirely to the regular season opener. The work done now to build chemistry between Haliburton, Zubac, and the supporting cast will determine how quickly the Pacers can hit the ground running in their pursuit of a top playoff seed.
