For the Pacers, everything is not to be thrown away despite this heavy defeat (4-0) against the Celtics. Far from there ! This season ends with a lot of experience gained for the Pacers, between the final of the first NBA tournament and this conference final. Rick Carlisle's players have clearly turned a corner, and the future looks bright. Like that ofAndrew Nembhardwho became a starter during the season, and who shone in the absence of Tyrese Haliburton.
“For a young team like ours, this experience is unparalleled,” believes the Canadian leader. “There are a lot of first times, there are a lot of little things that we would have liked to have done better. But we found out how these games are played and what it's like to play a series. I had never played a team six or seven times in a row before. It's a strange feeling and a pleasant experience. There are many things that we can come back to and take into account for next year. »
Known first for his game management and his passing at the time of the Draft, Andrew Nembhard demonstrated that he could be a strong attacker. Over the last two games, he averaged 28 points and 9.5 assists. All at 56% shooting, including 54% from 3-point range!
“He could start on any team in this league”says TJ McConnell. “He proved himself night after night. What he did in the playoffs, where defenses prepare for you every game even harder, is truly remarkable. He simply rose to the challenge every night. »
Another Canadian nugget
The Canadian's latest outings are far from his 9.2 points and 4.1 assists average during this regular season, and his ability to adapt has surprised more than one. “He never behaved like a rookie, and he was already so important for us last year,” recalls TJ McConnell. “He was our backup on position 2, then our main position 1 when Tyrese (Haliburton) was injured. His ability to adapt and play according to our needs is incredible. I'm happy and proud of him, that's clear. »
But Andrew Nembhard did not wait until the end of the series against the Celtics to show up, since we remember that he had been “ clutch » in Game 3 against the Knicks. All that remains is for him to gain accuracy to avoid losing important balls like in the two ends of the matches in Indianapolis.
“We see him as a determined, smart and very competitive young player, who is not afraid of taking on these challenges. It's no coincidence that Canada tried to enlist him over the past two summers,” points out Rick Carlisle. According to the Pacers coach, Andrew Nembhard is also up to play in the Olympic Games, alongside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Dillon Brooks, but also Jamal Murray, RJ Barrett and Lu Dort.
| Andrew Nembhard | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2022-23 | IND | 75 | 28 | 44.1 | 35.0 | 79.0 | 0.5 | 2.2 | 2.7 | 4.6 | 2.4 | 0.9 | 1.7 | 0.2 | 9.5 |
| 2023-24 | IND | 68 | 25 | 49.8 | 35.7 | 80.4 | 0.5 | 1.5 | 2.1 | 4.1 | 2.1 | 0.9 | 1.5 | 0.1 | 9.2 |
| Total | 143 | 26 | 46.7 | 35.3 | 79.7 | 0.5 | 1.9 | 2.4 | 4.3 | 2.3 | 0.9 | 1.6 | 0.1 | 9.3 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
