The Pacers were encouraged by the first game star point guard Tyrese Haliburton and new starting center Ivica Zubac played together, writes Chloe Peterson of The Indianapolis Star (subscriber link).
Haliburton, who missed all of last season due to a torn Achilles tendon, returned to action on Wednesday for the first time since he suffered the major lower leg injury. Zubac, meanwhile, was limited to five games played with Indiana after he was acquired in February due to ankle and rib injuries.
“You can practice as much as you want, but game reps are always going to be different,” Zubac said Friday. “Just getting on the floor for the first time with him, with P(ascal Siakam)the whole starting unit felt good, just to see what looks were gonna get out there, how other teams are gonna guard us, how we use our offense.”
According to Peterson, Zubac admitted he was a little surprised at how fast Haliburton was playing, but said he was looking forward to improving their timing and pick-and-roll chemistry. Haliburton said he’d settle down over time and is already enjoying the process of learning to play with the Croatian big man.
“It’ll come in time, but I’m really confident in it,” Haliburton said Wednesday. “I know how good of a player he is, and we all are, but I mean, we all were at halftime like, ‘This is going to be a lot of fun.’ We know we all got to get a lot better, and we will as the season goes on, but it’s been enjoyable.”
Here’s more from around the Central:
- Sign-and-trade addition Peyton Watson showed flashes of the upside that made the Cavaliers so determined to acquire him in Thursday’s preseason opener, per Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com (subscription required). The former Nuggets forward had seven points, four rebounds, four assists and two blocks in 17 first-half minutes before sitting out the final two quarters. As Fedor details, Watson’s new teammates and coaches have raved about the 24-year-old’s “energy, activity, athleticism and versatility” during training camp. “He’s a dynamic player,” head coach Kenny Atkinson said. “I want to see him in the short roll. I want to see him not just floating on the perimeter. I want to see him rebound and push the ball. Then cutting and offensive rebounding. He’s an active offensive player. He’s not just a spot-up guy.”
- Third-year Bulls forward Matas Buzelis suffered a right ankle injury in Friday’s preseason contest vs. Memphis after a “highlight reel block” and was later ruled out for the remainder of the game, according to K.C. Johnson of Chicago Sports Network (Twitter links). However, Buzelis downplayed the severity of the injury after the game and said he would be traveling with the team for Sunday’s contest at Denver, as Joel Lorenzi of The Athletic relays (Twitter video link). “Just a little sore, nothing crazy“Buzel.” … I think I’ll be ready for Sunday.” Big man Jalen Smith (left foot soreness) was out Friday, Lorenzi adds (via Twitter), but head coach Tiago Splitter expects it to be a short-term injury.
- Prior to Friday’s game, Splitter said he eventually envisions first-round pick Dailyn Swain becoming a “primary ball-handler” for the BullsLorenzo tweets. “He’s still getting used to that role, but I think in the future, I see him as a primary ball-handler, creating for us,” Splitter said. Swain, a 6’8″ guard/forward, recorded six points, four assists, two rebounds and two steals in 18 minutes on Friday.