Pivotal Moment for Aaron Nesmith and the Pacers
Just when the Indiana Pacers need their top defensive presence the most, Aaron Nesmith finds himself racing the clock to be ready for Game 4 against the New York Knicks. The Pacers guard twisted his right ankle in Game 3, visibly wincing and limping after landing awkwardly on a jump pass. Fans watched as trainers hurried onto the court and Nesmith got his ankle re-taped, eventually making a gritty return in the fourth quarter. But the toll was clear—Nesmith never quite regained normal movement, and the concern only grew after the game as he hobbled through post-game duties.
Coach Rick Carlisle isn’t making any promises. He confirmed that Nesmith’s return for Game 4 will be a true last-minute call, with the guard’s name penciled in as a game-time decision. The medical staff will see how Nesmith responds to treatment and shoot-around tests before tip-off. That’s not quite the assurance Pacers fans wanted, especially considering Nesmith’s playoff production.
Impact of Nesmith’s Absence on Indiana’s Strategy
Nesmith’s stats leap off the page. Through 13 playoff games, he’s dropped an average of 15.1 points per night, along with 6.2 rebounds, pulling down boards when it matters. His shooting has been lights-out too: he’s sunk 52% of his field goals and hit an eye-popping 54% from beyond the arc—contributing serious spacing and scoring threats beside Indiana’s other young guns.
His most valuable role, though, isn’t captured just by numbers. Nesmith is Indiana’s primary defender on Jalen Brunson, the Knicks’ All-Star guard. Whenever Andrew Nembhard or someone else takes a turn on Brunson, the Knicks’ attack seems to find new life. When Nesmith is on him, Brunson’s numbers dip, and the Pacers have a fighting chance of shutting down New York’s best weapon. That was on display in Game 1, where Nesmith’s late-game barrage of threes (six in the fourth quarter, tying an NBA playoff record) helped steal a massive win from a Knicks team shocked by Indiana’s comeback.
If Nesmith’s ankle limits his ability to cover ground or close out shooters, Indiana’s whole defensive game plan gets tricky. Suddenly, the Pacers face big questions: Who takes on Brunson? Can Indiana keep up its three-point threat if Nesmith isn’t moving well—or worse, if he sits out completely? The ripple effect touches everything from rebounding to offensive spacing.
The trainers got Nesmith back in Game 3 with some quick tape and determination, but an overnight test of swelling and pain management leaves a cloud over Game 4. If he takes the court, every pivot and defensive slide will tell the story of how much he can handle. Miss a beat, and both the Pacers’ defense and three-point attack might be in for a long night with the series hanging in the air.