Jay Huff
Huff is Indiana's backup center behind Ivica Zubac, but Zubac's left ankle sprain in the Oct. 25 win over Brooklyn could open a short-term starting role if Zubac misses games.
Role
He came off the bench in the games I found: 21 minutes against the Nets on Oct. 25, and a bench game against the 76ers on Friday. After Zubac rolled his ankle, Huff started the second half. Coach Rick Carlisle said after the game that Zubac is unlikely to play Monday against the Bucks, so Huff could draw a start (CBS/RotoWire). NBC Sports says Huff and Obi Toppin would get the available minutes if Zubac can't return. I found no confirmed starting lineup, no minutes target and no usage rate. A preseason piece from 8points9seconds estimated only about 15 minutes a night for Huff once Zubac takes his low-30s minutes. Yahoo reported that general manager Chad Buchanan described Huff as behind Zubac on the center depth chart.
NBC Sports points to the 14 points and three blocks in 18 minutes against Brooklyn, and to his 10 rebounds and five blocks off the bench against Philadelphia. It argues he could have a big season with Tyrese Haliburton feeding him, and that the lack of other center options raises expectations. Zubac's ankle injury could also give him starter minutes in the short term.
Huff is a pure center on a roster that has other bigs and forwards who play several positions. 8points9seconds argues he can't be more than about a 10-minute player unless he can defend the four. Indiana also likes playing small, with Pascal Siakam at the five. Once Zubac is healthy, Huff goes back to a bench role of roughly 15 minutes. CBS/RotoWire notes from last spring also showed his role changing night to night and his shooting efficiency swinging widely.
Where analysts split
The question is how long Zubac is out and who gets the extra center minutes. NBC Sports names both Toppin and Huff. CBS/RotoWire says Huff could draw the start. When Zubac is back, analysts split on whether Huff holds a real rotation role of about 15 minutes or fades to a minor one.
Research confidence: reported. Outlooks are grounded in web search over current reporting and refreshed through the season.
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