With just over a month remaining in the regular season, the Indiana Pacers are inching closer to their second consecutive playoff appearance. After making it all the way to the conference finals last year, the Pacers are looking to replicate that same success and potentially reach the NBA Finals for the first time in two decades. Despite teams like the Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers standing in their way, the Pacers are in a good spot to make another deep playoff run.
Currently, Indiana stands as the No. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference. However, they are only one game behind the No. 4 seed Milwaukee Bucks and 1.5 games ahead of the Detroit Pistons. If the Pacers can continue their winning trend, they will be in a good position to secure home-court advantage.
While players like Tyrese Haliburton, Pascal Siakam, and Myles Turner have played very well recently, there is another Pacer who is stepping up that deserves their flowers. After controversially re-entering the starting lineup, Aaron Nesmith has played fantastic basketball lately and could be an underrated factor in the Pacers' championship hopes.
Aaron Nesmith has played great since becoming a starter again
After missing multiple months earlier in the season due to an ankle injury, Nesmith returned and was immediately moved to the bench. However, roughly a month into his return, head coach Rick Carilsle chose to bring Nesmith back into the starting lineup in favor of Bennedict Mathurin, even though he was playing well.
Regardless of whether Mathurin or Nesmith is the better player or fit in Indiana, it is tough to say that Carlisle made the wrong choice. Mathurin has been out of action for a few games due to a wrist injury, whereas Nesmith is playing very well.
In his last seven games, Nesmith is averaging 14.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.1 assists. Additionally, the Vanderbilt alum is shooting 53.1% from the field and 42.2% from the three-point line during this stretch.
Nesmith will never be the best player on a contending team, but that does not mean he is not valuable. If his recent play is any indication, he will continue to prove his worth as the Pacers inch closer to the playoffs.
It is going to be very important for Nesmith to keep up this level of play if the Pacers want to make another deep playoff run. Luckily for him and the team, Nesmith is getting hot at the perfect time.