Pacers get good news on center Ivica Zubac for game against Grizzlies

A day after nearly stunning the Hawks with just six available players -- half on two-way contracts -- the Pacers saw evidence on the injury report toward a healthier frontcourt.

Starting center Ivica Zubac was upgraded to questionable for Wednesday's game against the 6-1 Grizzlies in Memphis after missing the last five games with a left ankle sprain originally suffered in the Pacers' last win in Brooklyn on Oct. 25. Forward Obi Toppin, who has missed the last three games, is again questionable with a lumbar sprain. Forward Kelly Oubre Jr is also listed as questionable with a left calf contusion after he was scratched just before tip-off Monday with what was then deemed a left knee bruise.

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Forwards Pascal Siakam and Aaron Nesmith and guard Andrew Nembhard all sat out Monday's game -- the second night of a back-to-back -- for rest and injury management reasons. Forward/center Larry Nance Jr. missed the game with an illness. None of them are listed on the injury report for Wednesday's game.

There are still four players who have been ruled out -- point guards Tyrese Haliburton (left hamstring strain) and T.J. McConnell (right hamstring strain) and wings Ben Sheppard (torn left meniscus) and Johnny Furphy (torn ACL).

Since the Pacers could have up to 10 standard contract players available for the game, the three two-way contract players -- forwards Jalen Slawson and Kobe Brown and point guard Braden Smith -- are listed as questionable. All three scored in double figures and played at least 37 minutes in Monday's game. Smith, a former Purdue and Westfield High School star, posted a double-double with 19 points and 10 assists Monday in his first NBA start.

The Pacers have lost five straight games and six of their last seven thanks in large part to injury.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Pacers get good news on center Ivica Zubac for game against Grizzlies