Indiana Pacers banking on Ivica Zubac and Haliburton’s return to reopen title window

The Indiana Pacers are confident that acquiring Ivica Zubac will help reopen their championship window, according to Jamal Collier. The franchise views the deal as an important step toward returning to the highest level of NBA competition.

Another key factor will be the return of Tyrese Haliburton, who suffered a torn Achilles tendon during the 2025 NBA Finals. His comeback would provide a major boost to Indiana’s title ambitions, pairing his playmaking and offensive creativity with Zubac’s presence in the paint. The Pacers are hoping that the combination of their star guard’s return and the Croatian center’s arrival can put them back in the championship conversation.