Pacers Notes: Kobe Brown rising, Siakam stays aggressive, Haliburton away

The Pacers quietly did more than just add size when they acquired Ivica Zubac from the Clippers. They also brought in Kobe Brown, who has gone from a fringe rotation player in Los Angeles to a regular contributor in Indiana.

Brown has appeared in five games with the Pacers, including one start, and is averaging 10.2 points and 6.8 rebounds in 26.4 minutes. He posted a season-high 15 points and seven boards in just 19 minutes against the Mavericks on Sunday.

“This is a great chance for us to figure out as much as we can about him,” coach Rick Carlisle said, via Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star.

• The opportunity comes at a meaningful time for Brown, who is set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer after the Clippers declined their option on his 2026–27 contract. Veteran forward Pascal Siakam said Brown has handled the situation well. “When you’re open, shoot it,” Siakam said. “Other than that, just play as hard as you can.” For Indiana, this is a low-risk evaluation window that could inform offseason decisions.

• Siakam continues to produce regardless of the standings. He scored 30 points on 12-of-19 shooting in the loss to Dallas, his 11th 30-plus point performance of the season, while adding eight rebounds and three assists. Dopirak notes the Pacers were plus-seven in Siakam’s 29 minutes. Despite dealing with a left hamstring issue and Indiana’s lottery positioning, Siakam has made it clear he wants to stay on the floor. “Anyone that knows me knows that I want to play,” he said.

• As if the Pacers needed another hurdle, Tyrese Haliburton has been diagnosed with shingles and will be away from the team for a few weeks, per ESPN. Carlisle called it “a very painful thing” but said Haliburton is expected to make a full recovery. “It’s a unique case and a unique situation,” Carlisle said, adding that Haliburton has remained in good spirits through the diagnosis.