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Pacers: What Andrew Nembhard Has Done in 2 Games Since Tyrese Haliburton Went Down
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- Pacers: What Andrew Nembhard Has Done in 2 Games Since Tyrese Haliburton Went Down
(IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Andrew Nembhard has 40 points and 23 assists over his last two games, both played since a hamstring strain took Tyrese Haliburton out of the Indiana Pacers lineup.
He had 18 points and 14 assists in Wednesday's 114-109 home loss to the Philadelphia 76ers. Two nights later in Miami, he scored 22 with 9 assists in 30 minutes, 17 of the points coming before halftime. Three of Jay Huff's four first-quarter baskets came on Nembhard passes. Nembhard also went 8-of-16 from the field and 5-of-8 from 3-point range in a 145-125 loss to the Heat .
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The 76ers game was his first back from a missed game. He hurt his neck in the Oct. 25 game at Brooklyn, and Pacers coach Rick Carlisle ruled him out of the next night's game at Milwaukee with what Carlisle described as a back issue. Kelly Oubre Jr. started in his place in a 110-102 loss.
He had scored 14 points on 4-of-6 shooting from deep in that win over the Nets. The Pacers listed him as probable with neck stiffness and soreness before the Heat game.
Keeping the healthy players healthy is Carlisle's priority until Indiana gets bodies back.
"He's a great player and his versatility is really special," Carlisle said. "He's terrific as an off-guard that can make plays, but he's obviously a natural point guard. He had a lot of opportunities to show that last year with (Haliburton) out."
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With Haliburton out all of 2025-26 after tearing his right Achilles tendon in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Nembhard became a full-time starter. He averaged career highs of 16.9 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 7.7 assists in 31.3 minutes over 57 games.
Indiana lost 13 straight from December into January and 16 straight from February into March.
Now 26 and in his fifth season, Nembhard was the 31st pick out of Gonzaga in 2022. He sat out Canada's most recent FIBA World Cup qualifying window to focus on the NBA season.
Haliburton played four games this season before the hamstring. On Wednesday, Carlisle called it a mild left hamstring strain, listed him as week-to-week, and said he would give an update in two weeks. He said he did not think it was realistic for Haliburton to play before then .
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T.J. McConnell, another guard, is also out with a hamstring strain. Quenton Jackson scored 24 points off the bench in Miami.
Carlisle missed Friday's game for his father's funeral, and lead assistant Lloyd Pierce coached in his place.
Indiana is 2-4 after three losses in five days. The Pacers host the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday at 5 p.m. ET at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
