The Indiana Pacers suffered a brutal blow on Sunday night. Ivica Zubac went down with an injury after playing just seven minutes against the Brooklyn Nets. X-rays were negative, but the Pacers will still need to rely on center minutes from other guys. And perhaps the most intriguing name to watch is Jay Huff.
Obviously, the Pacers need Zubac. If they want to make a deep playoff run this year, they need Zubac back and healthy. But in the meantime, this is a great opportunity to see what Huff can bring to the table. He can establish himself as a legitimate rotation piece for the Pacers, and someone who can play whether or not Zubac is healthy.
Huff is a reliable offensive center and, in his minutes, one of the best shot-blockers in the league. He’s a very underrated piece in Indiana, and now, he’ll have a chance to prove his worth a bit more consistently.
Jay Huff will have his chance to shine
Zubac made a great first impression this season. Well, technically it wasn’t a first impression, but it was Zubac’s first chance to play alongside Tyrese Haliburton. And he looked great.
But depth has often been the Pacers’ best attribute. It’s one of the most important parts of their identity. They have guys who can contribute up and down the roster. Now, it’s Huff’s time to shine.
Huff played 20:41 against the Nets on Sunday night. He, Larry Nance Jr., and Jarace Walker got some minutes at the big-man spot. But Huff, in particular, was very impressive.
In his minutes, Huff put up 14 points, two rebounds, three assists, and three blocks while shooting 5-of-6 from the floor and 2-of-3 from beyond the three-point line.
In just over 20 minutes of action, Huff managed to show off the two best skills he brings to the table for the Pacers: His three-point shooting and his shot-blocking.
Having Huff as a bench center is a massive advantage for the Pacers. He was one of the most underrated additions of the Pacers’ 2025 offseason, and now it’s paying off more than ever before.
Losing Zubac for a bit is going to be a tough pill to swallow. But getting him back healthy is now the top priority for the Pacers. So, in the meantime, the Pacers have Huff.
He’s going to be integral to the team’s success in the short term, and if he plays well enough, he should be a top-notch depth piece for them even when Zubac returns.
If he plays well in extended minutes for however long Zubac is out, that would be a great sign for the Pacers (and their depth) moving forward.
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