NBA Notes: Pacers, Ivica Zubac, Celtics, Charles Bassey, Pelicans

Pacers

It took a little while, but Ivica Zubac has finally made his debut with the Pacers.

Acquired at the trade deadline, Zubac had been sidelined with a left ankle injury before getting on the court this week, as relayed by Dustin Dopirak of Indianapolis Star.

He played 16 minutes Thursday against the Suns and followed with 29 minutes Friday vs. the Knicks.

Coach Rick Carlisle said the goal now is simple. Namely, get Zubac comfortable with his new teammates.

“We need to find ways to make these games meaningful for the development of our team,” Carlisle said. “It’s important that Andrew Nembhard and Zubac play together.”

Indiana owns the league’s worst record, but the belief internally is that next season could look very different. Much of the roster that reached the Finals remains in place, with Zubac now stepping into the role previously held by Myles Turner.

Zubac said he already likes the way the Pacers operate.

“No matter who plays on this team, they play the same way,” he said. “They move the ball, they sacrifice for each other and they play really hard.”

Celtics

The Celtics are expected to add some frontcourt depth. According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, Boston plans to sign center Charles Bassey to a 10-day contract.

Bassey has already signed three 10-day deals this season, spending brief stints with the Grizzlies and 76ers earlier in the year.

Most of his season has come in the G League, where he has averaged 20.5 points, 12.5 rebounds and 2.1 blocks across 20 games with the Santa Cruz Warriors and Delaware Blue Coats.

Boston has been carrying just 12 players recently while maneuvering below the luxury tax line. The club will need to add at least one more player along with Bassey to reach the minimum roster requirement.

Pelicans

Dejounte Murray continues to look more like himself.

The Pelicans guard scored 35 points while adding seven rebounds and four assists Friday against the Rockets. It was his eighth game since returning from an Achilles tear.

Interim coach James Borrego liked what he saw.

“On both sides of the ball he was fantastic down the stretch,” Borrego said, via Rod Walker of NOLA.com.

For Murray and the Pelicans, it’s another encouraging sign as he continues working his way back.