Indiana’s X-Factor This NBA Postseason Continues To Be Andrew Nembhard

Tyrese Haliburton stole the show in Game 1 of the NBA Finals with another game-winning shot during the shocking come-from-behind victory, something that the Indiana Pacers have done multiple times throughout this postseason run. One person’s efforts have seemed to go under the radar, and that’s Andrew Nembhard, along with his constant ability to step up on both sides of the floor in the fourth quarter.

Last night, during the 111-110 upset win over the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Paycom Center, Nembhard continued to make winning efforts in any possible way he could. According to broadcast personality Doris Burke on the ABC broadcast, he scored or assisted on 16 points in the fourth quarter for the Pacers. The comeback wouldn’t have been possible without Nembhard’s contributions during crunch time.

Take a look at this combination of moves from the Gonzaga legend. His signature step-back has been almost impossible to close out on. In this 2024 playoff run for Indiana, Nembhard is shooting a 47.0 three-point percentage on 3.9 attempts from beyond the arc per game.

Nembhard’s defensive effort is what may go unnoticed to the average eye, but deserves its praise. He’s been guarding the stars for a full 94 feet continuously through this postseason (Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson in the Eastern Conference Finals). In the final possessions of Game 1 of the NBA Finals, Nembhard was locked in on the NBA’s Most Valuable Player, Shai-Gilgeous Alexander.

He may have gotten off to a hot start, but Nembhard continued to adjust and make his fellow Canadian uncomfortable when it mattered most. When Gilgeous-Alexander was guarded by Nembhard in Game 1 down the late stretch, he scored just eight points on 3-for-9 shooting, zero assists, and two turnovers (per NBA stats).

“He made big plays at both ends. The one stop on Shai at the end was a big play, and then we got the rebound. There was the step-back three, which was a big momentum play… a lot of big plays. You’ve got to have playmakers against Oklahoma City. They just make it so difficult defensively.” – Indiana Pacers coach Rick Carlisle

“He’s our guy. He’s been our guy all year… We have the most trust in him. Shai is the hardest guard in the NBA. He’s the hardest guy to cover one-on-one in the NBA. So there’s no one look we can give him that is going to work every time. We trust Drew in those situations. We’re showing help as much as we can, but he’s doing a lot of the dirty work. He’s done a lot of the dirty work for years now. That’s his calling card in this league. And he’s an elite defender.” – Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton

The minimum to make an NBA All-Defensive Team was 65 regular season games, which Nembhard hit on the nose. The fact that he didn’t receive any votes for the honor is ridiculous.

Nembhard is working his way towards a long-term, rather large pay upgrade in the coming year or two. From what he’s been able to put together over the past couple of months, he has earned that contract extension (possibly even a maximum).

Arden Cravalho is a Gonzaga University graduate from the Bay Area… Follow him on Twitter @a_cravalho