At this point, it is probably safe to say Milwaukee Bucks fans are going to have nightmares about Andrew Nembhard. After burning the Bucks in the first round of the playoffs last season, the Indiana Pacers' reliable sharpshooter has done it yet again. In Game 1 on Saturday, Nembhard dropped 17 points on 8-for-13 shooting, helping the Pacers jump out to a 1-0 series lead against Giannis Antetokounmpo and company.
Nembhard's performance continued his trend of stepping up in the playoffs that he established last season. It was during Indiana's 2024 run to the Eastern Conference Finals that the now-third year guard truly made himself into a household name and struck fear into the hearts of opponents on the biggest stage. In last year's first round series against the Bucks, Andrew scored in double figures in five of the six games.
He burned Milwaukee and made at least 50% of his shot attempts in every game of that series after the opening loss. Obviously, Pacers fans remember that his run did not stop there. Nembhard also went for double figure scoring nights in nine of Indiana's 11 remaining playoff games after that as well. Scoring 32 and 24 in Game 3 and Game 4 of the conference finals against Boston, Nembhard went out on a high note and let everyone know that he was not going away in the future.
Nembhard had another excellent playoff performance in Game 1
He proved that statement true with his solid 2025 playoff debut. Part of what makes Nembhard so effective in his role is the expectations placed on him. Were he asked to be a team's leading scorer or second-leading scorer, it is not hard to surmise that he would have difficulty. But given the teammates he has to shoulder the majority of the offensive load and the ability those teammates have at getting him the ball in his spots, it is no surprise Andrew is shining yet again.
The Bucks have to focus so much of their defensive attention on Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam (among others) that they simply do not have the ability to shut down Nembhard. Milwaukee is already lacking athletes as it is, and they have been for years. It's been one of the biggest criticisms of the Bucks' roster designs for the post-championship Giannis teams. And this weakness plays perfectly into the Pacers' hands.
Indiana won last year's series with Milwaukee despite not having home court and losing Game 1. Now that they have home court advantage and are already a leg up on an injury-riddled Bucks team, they have a great chance of being on their way to the semifinals for a second straight season. Should they make it there, Andrew Nembhard's ability to raise his game in the playoffs will be one big reason for it.