Not enough can be said about Andrew Nembhard's importance to the Indiana Pacers this season. After a breakout campaign last year, which included multiple star-level performances against the eventual champion Boston Celtics in the conference finals, Nembhard looks even better this season. He has improved drastically as a consistent defender and provides a lot of value on offense.
The Canadian native is averaging career highs in every area except one--his efficiency from the three-point line. Fortunately for Nembhard and the Pacers, he is not their primary scorer, so this is not a major problem for the team. However, for both Nembhard and the Pacers to reach their full potential, it is important that his shots start falling. If they do, the Pacers become even more dangerous than they already are.
Andrew Nembhard is much less efficient from beyond the arc this season
During the first two seasons of his career, Nembhard shot 35.3% from beyond the arc on 3 attempts. This season, he is shooting just 30.9% on 2.4 attempts. Furthermore, since the turn of the calendar, Nembhard is shooting 27.1% from the three-point line on 2.3 attempts. For context, this is the worst on the team of all players with at least three attempts during that span, according to StatMuse.
The Pacers are one of the top offenses in the league, and Nembhard provides a lot of value beyond his three-point shooting. However, this is still a problem that must be fixed by the end of the season, especially as the Pacers look to finish the season on a high note with a strong second half.
Currently, Indiana has a 32-24 record and owns the No. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference, though they are tied with the Milwaukee Bucks. The Pacers are only four games behind the No. 3 seed New York Knicks but are also just six games ahead of the No. 9 seed Miami Heat. With less than two months remaining on the season, every game from here on out is important.
Regardless of where they finish in the standings, the Pacers are a feared playoff opponent and are still less than a year removed from a conference finals appearance. The Pacers have the tools to make another deep playoff run and continue their quest for a championship, which Nembhard is an essential part of. However, there is a lot of competition ahead of them from both conferences. It is crucial that they are on their A-game once the playoffs hit.