Pacers Report Cards: Grading every Pacers player's first-round performance
By Mueez Azfar
Andrew Nembhard
Stats: 6 Games, 34.7 MPG, 13.8 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 4.7 APG, 0.5 SPG, 0.2 BPG, 0.8 TOV, 1.2 FPG 59.6/45/66.7 Splits on 68.1% TS
Going into the series, many lauded Andrew Nembhard as Indiana's X-Factor against the Bucks due to his defensive ability and strong frame. Specifically, many thought Nembhard's regular season success against Damian Lillard would translate well to the playoffs and he could help slow Lillard down and maybe even take him out of the offense at times.
While Lillard still got his, Nembhard was still spectacular in the first round. Perhaps Indiana's most consistent player through the series, Nembhard showed exactly why he was a valuable playoff rotation piece in only his second season, as he averaged 15.4 points on 62% shooting and 44% from deep in Games 2 through 6.
While his defense was solid as usual, especially in Game 6, with his full-court pressure on Damian Lillard resulting in tough shot attempt after tough shot attempt for the star, his offense was perhaps the best part. Not usually known as a big-time scorer, Nembhard's 20 points in Game 2 set the tone for a quiet but productive series on the offensive end, as he also averaged five assists in the final five games.
Nembhard also played his part in furthering the new Indiana vs Milwaukee rivalry, as he made an enemy out of Bobby Portis during the series, agitating the Bucks forward in Game 2 and even getting him ejected in Game 4. Portis was clearly taken aback by Nembhard, as he called the Pacers "frontrunners" after their Game 2 win, and was clearly rattled for the rest of the series, despite his fantastic outing in Game 5.
If anyone told you on Draft Day two years ago that Indiana's 31st overall pick would end up being a consistent starter and one of the best players on a playoff team only two years into his career, you would probably look at them funny. Rest assured, there is nothing funny about Andrew Nembhard's performance in the first round, as he surprised both Pacers fans and Bucks fans with how well he played.
Going into the second round, Nembhard is expected to have yet another tough matchup on his plate, as he goes straight from Damian Lillard to Jalen Brunson. However, if what we saw in the first round is any indication, Andrew Nembhard will certainly take that challenge without another word.