Table of content
- Andrew Nembhard dominates and seals the Indiana Pacers' much-needed win over the Golden State Warriors
- Andrew Nembhard needs more reps on base.
- Everyone climbed.
- The Pacers finally started out strong.
Andrew Nembhard dominates and seals the Indiana Pacers' much-needed win over the Golden State Warriors Last Monday, Indiana Pacers rookie guard Andrew Nimbard hit a buzzer-beating three-point shot on LeBron James to help the Pacers beat the Los Angeles Lakers. After Monday, with the Pacers facing the Golden State Warriors in San Francisco, Nimbard was even better.
Andrew Nembhard dominates and seals the Indiana Pacers' much-needed win over the Golden State Warriors
Indiana Nimbard started at point guard with Tyrese Haliburton and TJ McConnell injured under the weather. Nimbard started Sunday night in the same conditions and finished with 16 points and eight assists.
Nembhard finished Monday, ahead of the NBA champions, with 31 points, 13 assists, and eight rebounds. All three of these numbers are career-high for a rookie. He also defended two-time MVP Stephen Curry at a career-high and held him to 12 points on a 3/17 shooting. It was Nembhard's best game since joining the NBA ranks, and the blue and gold +16 was with him on the floor.
"This guy has incredible poise," Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said of Nimbard after the game. "He's strong, he's old school but new school. He's special."
Nembhard had an impressive road trip for the blue and gold, averaging 15.6 points and 7.2 assists per game across five games. Without him, the Pacers likely won't get a single win on their current trip out West.
Heading Halliburton and McConnell were Miles Turner, Daniel Theiss, Chris Duarte, and James Johnson off Indiana's game against Golden State. Carlisle had to use an unconventional rotation with only 11 players available. But it worked when the Pacers won 112-104 and improved to 13-11. They are tied for fifth place in the Eastern Conference standings.
"We have a flexible group, and they've been that way all year," Carlisle said after the match. There are some key takeaways for the Pacers after a much-needed win.
Andrew Nembhard needs more reps on base.
When Indiana is healthy, Nembhard starts from the small front spot. This allows him to play and get plenty of playing time, but most of his offensive reps are off the ball in those situations. He still succeeds in those moments thanks to his outside shot, but he needs more opportunities to play with the ball in his hands.
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) December 6, 2022efficient night for Jalen Smith.
15 PTS | 9 REB | 3 BLK | 6-8 FG pic.twitter.com/lBQXxH4zKo
McConnell may need to play fewer minutes per game upon his return from illness. In this way, Nimbard can continue to grow and improve as a general, as he is clearly very talented. He's had double-doubles in the last three Pacers games, and his composure makes his teammates better.
Haliburton deserves a lot of playing time in the position of cue ball handlers, so it may take some creativity to get enough Nembhard reps in the position. But Carlisle has to find a way given how impressive the 31st overall pick has looked recently.
Everyone climbed.
The Pacers couldn't upset the Warriors without a full team effort, and everyone was important in winning.
After Nembhard, Indiana got a career night from Kendall Brown, the 48th overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. He hasn't played much this season, but he gave Carliss 18 crucial minutes Monday night. He finished the game with three points, five rebounds, and two assists. It was his best game, and most minutes, as a professional.
Trevelin Queen gained playing time for the second straight game. Jalen Smith nearly had a double-double with 15 points and nine rebounds. Buddy Held drilled some key threes while Benedict Mathurin, in his first career start, reached the foul line eight times. O'Shea Brissett and Isaiah Jackson hit the ball well.
Whoever dressed up as the Pacers did their job and had a good night. The Blue and Gold needed to overcome the upset, and they did.
The Pacers finally started out strong.
Forced to play a significantly altered starting lineup this game, Indiana was effective. The Pacers were up 34-21 at the end of the first quarter, marking only the fourth time in the entire season that the Blue and Golds were ahead after a single frame.
The previous three times have not been so impressive. They led by eight points after the first quarter once and by two points twice. This start against Golden State was their best of the year and their first lead of more than 10 points after one quarter. It set the tone for the night.
With few resources available, Carlyle founded Nembhard, Mathurin, Hield, Aaron Nesmith, and Smith. That formation was +6 in over ten minutes of action. The said combination may not work every game, but it sure did on Monday, and the Pacers needed it.
Indiana will end its seven-game road trip in Minnesota on Wednesday night when they battle the Timberwolves.