Cody Zeller (personal) unable to play Friday

Zeller will miss the game due to a personal matter.

Indiana Pacers center Cody Zeller will not play in Friday's game against the New York Knicks due to a personal matter, the team announced.

Zeller has started 33 games for the Pacers this season, averaging 7.5 points and 7.0 rebounds per game.

The Pacers have not announced a timeline for Zeller's return.

The Pacers are currently in 12th place in the Eastern Conference with a record of 20-36. They are 5.5 games behind the eighth-place Atlanta Hawks for the final playoff spot.

Zeller's absence is a blow to the Pacers, who are already without several key players due to injury.

Domantas Sabonis (ankle) and Malcolm Brogdon (Achilles) are both out indefinitely.

Jeremy Lamb (knee) is also out for the season.

The Pacers will need to find a way to replace Zeller's production in the starting lineup.

Goga Bitadze is likely to start in Zeller's place.

Bitadze has averaged 5.0 points and 4.2 rebounds per game this season.

The Pacers will be hoping that Bitadze can step up and fill the void left by Zeller.