The Indiana Pacers are quickly being reminded that, no matter the situation, they know they can rely on Andrew Nembhard to step up.
Throughout his career with the team so far, Nembhard has made it a habit to rise to the occasion when Indiana needs him the most. The most obvious example of this is when Tyrese Haliburton missed Games 3 and 4 of the 2024 Eastern Conference Finals against the Boston Celtics. In those games, the Canadian native averaged 28 points, 5 rebounds, and 9.5 assists while shooting 56.4% from the field and 53.8% from beyond the arc.
This season, a lot of pressure has been on Nembhard to continue doing more of the same. With Haliburton on the shelf for the whole season due to an Achilles injury, the Gonzaga alum has been tasked with running the offense while also playing a crucial defensive role, often having to guard the opposing team's best player.
It's a lot for one player to manage. And while it's not perfect, Nembhard is making the most of his opportunity, stepping up and proving the Pacers right all along in their decision to put as much trust in him as possible.
Andrew Nembhard has been fantastic this season
After exiting Indiana's season-opening loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder early with a shoulder injury, Nembhard essentially missed the first two weeks of the season. However, since his return, he has played very well.
In his first 15 games since returning from his injury, Nembhard averaged 18.8 points, 2.2 rebounds, 6.8 assists, and 1 steal while shooting 44.5% from the field and 36.7% from deep. Additionally, he has played a big role in the Pacers' recent turnaround as they have won four of their last six games with him running the show.
Nembhard is not Haliburton, but the Pacers aren't forcing him to be. And that's a big reason he has been so effective.
The Pacers' offense mostly looks the same (on paper). They are continuing to push the tempo at times, move the ball around, and space the floor. But they are also running a bit more of a traditional offense, calling set plays in the halfcourt, and running more isolation plays. A lot of that is to adhere to Nembhard's strengths as a shifty ball-handler, and it's allowed him to succeed under the circumstances.
Nembhard is playing just about as well as the Pacers were hoping for when they handed him the point guard responsibilities, and they should be excited to see where he takes it from here. He may not be the point guard anymore once Haliburton comes back, but the 25-year-old is continuing to prove he has what it takes to make a big impact. And that should bode well for the team as they look to re-enter the title picture sooner rather than later.