In Game 6 at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indiana, Andrew Nembhard finished with the most steals ever by a player in a Conference Finals closeout game at an unbelievable total of six. His tenacious defense in the half-court press on New York’s Jalen Brunson throughout this series was outstanding.
He defended Brunson for 55 matchups, giving up just 9.1 points per 100 matchups in the series-clinching victory. Throughout the six games, the guard allowed Brunson to shoot only 38.2 percent on field goals and 30.0 percent from beyond the arc.
Nembhard also chipped in 14 points on 6-for-12 shooting and 2-for-5 three-pointers, eight assists, and a block. That’s close to a triple-double night for him. Indiana leader Tyrese Haliburton must be truly blessed to have Nembhard as his backcourt mate.
It was easy to tell that Brunson was frustrated all game with having to deal with Nembhard sizing him up. The headbutt he threw at him after picking his pocket and taking it all the other way in the fourth quarter proves it.
Seven Zags from Gonzaga’s storied past have now reached the NBA Finals:
John Stockton
Adam Morrison
Ronny Turiaf
Austin Daye
Kelly Olynyk
Chet Holmgren
Andrew Nembhard
Only Morrison with the Los Angeles Lakers in back-to-back campaigns (2009, 2010) and Daye with the San Antonio Spurs in 2014 have won the coveted Larry O’Brien Trophy.
Game 1 of the NBA Finals in Oklahoma City is set for Thursday, June 5 at 8:30 pm ET on ABC. Andrew Nembhard vs. Chet Holmgren. The former Gonzaga teammates on the 2021-22 group are representing the only collegiate program to have a starter on both teams.
Holmgren is tied for 10th with 8.6 rebounds per game this postseason. He is also tied for third with 2.0 blocks per game. As for Nembhard, his 1.6 steals per game puts him tied for 12th.
Arden Cravalho is a Gonzaga University graduate from the Bay Area… Follow him on Twitter @a_cravalho
