Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard didn’t win the “Roll up the Rally Bird Trophy” on Saturday—that honor went to Eastern Conference Finals MVP Pascal Siakam. However, Nembhard transformed the Gainsbridge Fieldhouse into a frenzy about a minute before the final buzzer by scoring 31 points, including clutch shots over Siakam and deep three-pointers reminiscent of Tyrese Haliburton. Indiana fans will look back on Game 6 against the New York Knicks remembering Nembhard’s standout performance.
They will recall his six steals, five of which led directly to scores on the other end. Steals are invaluable in any game because they stop the opponent and create better scoring chances. For the Pacers, these steals are like gold, or for opponents trying to beat Indiana, they’re as deadly as death. The Pacers’ strategy emphasizes quickly turning defense into offense to dismantle their rivals.
Nembhard’s relentless defense on Jalen Brunson stood out. He pressured Brunson full court, fought through screens, and contested every inch, limiting the star guard who is known for creating space. Brunson, who previously seemed comfortable facing Nembhard in past playoff matchups, was visibly frustrated and held to 19 points—his lowest in the series with 18-8 shooting.
Coach Rick Carlisle initially assigned Aaron Nesmith to guard Brunson despite an ankle injury but switched to Nembhard within 90 seconds after Nesmith picked up an early foul. Carlisle and Nembhard both confirmed post-game how diligently Nembhard worked on defense. Siakam praised Nembhard’s effort, calling it “incredible” and noting his relentless hard work.
Throughout the season, Nembhard has been Indiana’s best defender. He’s an uncommon guard who excels defensively while also threatening on offense. He avoids foul trouble, plays physical and smart, and isn’t afraid to push his opponents. No one else in the NBA regularly uses tactical physicality like he does to disrupt opponents.
Offensively, Nembhard is an aggressive facilitator. He alleviates pressure on Halliburton, countering opponents’ defensive efforts effectively. He fits perfectly into the Pacers’ dynamic offense, making quick decisions, moving constantly, and being a threat even without the ball. Although he only scored 20 points twice in the regular season, he has stepped up immensely in playoffs, particularly in last year’s series against the Boston Celtics. Going into Game 6 versus the Knicks, his prior three games were modest, but the coach trusted he would shine.
Nembhard scored 14 points on 6-for-12 shooting, dished out eight assists, had six steals, and committed just one turnover in 37 minutes. When New York appeared to gain momentum in the second quarter, he made a steal followed by a mid-range jumper and set up Halliburton for a dunk that energized the crowd. In the third quarter, he hit a transition three-pointer when the Knicks had narrowed the gap, and in the fourth quarter, after New York started strong, he nailed a step-back jumper against Brunson and quickly stole the ball again to push Indiana’s lead back to 14 points.
Though Halliburton’s deep three-pointer sparked the crowd more vocally, the Knicks had already begun pulling their starters by then. Nembhard’s catch-and-shoot three-pointer later on extended Indiana’s lead to 19 points, forcing New York to call a timeout. Despite a cold streak in the middle of the series, Nembhard has an impressive 48.3% three-point shooting percentage in 33 playoff games, compared with 33.5% in the regular season. This difference suggests his regular season shooting stats may not truly reflect his playoff impact.
Nembhard’s clutch basket on Saturday might not have been as flashy as his threes in last year’s playoffs, but his overall performance illustrates his importance to the Pacers and embodies their team identity. Described by center Miles Turner as “not the flashiest or sexiest team,” the Pacers deliver results through effort and teamwork, and Nembhard’s contribution in this critical moment was exactly what the team needed.
Turner summed it up by saying, “We can’t replace that kind of effort.”
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Fan Take: Andrew Nembhard’s performance is a testament to the value of relentless defense and unselfish play in basketball, proving that star power isn’t the only path to victory. For fans, his emergence signals a refreshing shift towards hustle, heart, and smart basketball, which could inspire the sport to appreciate gritty, team-first players more deeply.
