Pacers' Aaron Nesmith: Double-doubles in Game 1 win
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Nesmith provided 10 points (3-9 FG, 3-7 3Pt, 1-2 FT), 12 rebounds, one assist and one block over 31 minutes during Thursday's 111-110 victory over the Thunder in Game 1 of the NBA Finals.
Nesmith played his role to perfection, recording his third double-double of the postseason. Although his contributions don't always translate into stats, Nesmith's impact on the defensive end of the floor has been invaluable for the Pacers. Despite trailing by as much as 15 points during the final quarter, Indiana once again defied the odds, stealing Game 1 on the road. The two teams will meet again Sunday, when the Pacers will look to take a 2-0 series advantage.
Nesmith (ankle) is available for Thursday's Game 5 against the Knicks, Michael Scotto of USA Today reports.
Nesmith will play through an ankle sprain, which he originally suffered in Game 3. The 25-year-old sharpshooter has been an integral part of Indiana's playoff run, having averaged 15.1 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 0.9 steals, 0.9 blocks and 2.9 three-pointers while shooting 51.9 percent from downtown over 14 games in the 2025 postseason. Nesmith will also be tasked with trying to slow down Jalen Brunson in Game 5.
Nesmith (ankle) has been listed as questionable for Thursday's Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Knicks.
Nesmith has been dealing with an ankle sprain but has been able to play through the injury. The 25-year-old forward is coming off a 16-point performance in Game 4 and is averaging 16.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 1.0 blocks per game in this series. He's also been remarkably efficient in the shooting department, hitting 54.1 percent of his shots from the field and 61.9 percent from deep.
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Pacers' Aaron Nesmith: Iffy for Game 5
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Nesmith (ankle) is listed as questionable for Thursday's Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Knicks.
Nesmith was listed as questionable due to a sprained right ankle before Tuesday's Game 4 win, though he played through the injury and posted 16 points (5-9 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 4-4 FT), three rebounds, two steals and one assist across 32 minutes. The 25-year-old swingman has played a key role for the Pacers on both ends of the floor, averaging 16.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.3 three-pointers, 1.5 steals and 1.0 blocks across 32.3 minutes per game in four Eastern Conference Finals appearances. He has also recorded 54.1/61.9/92.9 shooting splits during that span.
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Pacers' Aaron Nesmith: Available to play in Game 5
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Nesmith (ankle) has been cleared to play in Thursday's game against the Knicks.
Nesmith's ankle injury won't prevent him from playing in Game 5. The Vanderbilt product has been able to power through despite suffering the injury in Game 3, as he finished with 16 points, three rebounds, two steals and an assist in Tuesday's win.
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Pacers' Aaron Nesmith: Plays key role despite injury
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Nesmith accumulated 16 points (5-9 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 4-4 FT), three rebounds, one assist and two steals across 32 minutes during Tuesday's 130-121 win over the Knicks in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
Nesmith played through an ankle sprain suffered during the Game 3 loss, scoring in double digits for the fifth time in the past six games. He continues to play a key role on both ends of the floor, typically tasked with defending the opposition's primary assets. Through four games of the Eastern Conference Finals, Nesmith has averaged 16.5 points, 1.5 steals and 3.3 three-pointers in 32.5 minutes per contest.
Nesmith (ankle) has been cleared to play in Tuesday's game against the Knicks, Michael Scotto of USA Today reports.
Nesmith suffered an ankle sprain in Game 3, but powered through the injury during that contest. Although it was uncertain whether he'd suit up for Game 4, the Vanderbilt product will be on the floor on Tuesday. The 25-year-old is averaging 16.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 1.3 blocks per game in this series while shooting 53.6 percent from the field and an impressive 73.3 percent from beyond the arc.
Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle said that Nesmith will be listed as questionable for Tuesday's matchup with the Knicks in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals due to a right ankle sprain, Tony East of WTHR Channel 13 Indianapolis reports.
Carlisle suggested that Nesmith's status could come down to a game-time decision, meaning the team will likely see how his ankle responds in warmups before determining his availability ahead of the 8 p.m. ET tipoff. Nesmith rolled his right ankle during the third quarter of Sunday's 106-100 loss in Game 3, but he was able to come back into the game late in the fourth quarter. Nesmith finished the contest with eight points (2-8 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 3-4 FT), seven rebounds, two steals and one block in 26 minutes.
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Pacers' Aaron Nesmith: Returns to game Sunday
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Nesmith (ankle) is back in Sunday's Game 3 against the Knicks, Tony East of WTHR Channel 13 Indianapolis reports.
Nesmith rolled his right ankle during the third quarter of Sunday's contest, but he was able to come back into the game late in the fourth quarter with the Knicks surging back into the game. Despite returning to the game, the injury could be something to monitor ahead of Tuesday's Game 4.
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Pacers' Aaron Nesmith: Heads to locker room Sunday
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Nesmith went back to the locker room during the third quarter of Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Knicks on Sunday due to an apparent ankle injury, Tony East of WTHR Channel 13 Indianapolis reports.
Nesmith went down after appearing to roll his ankle while attempting a pass along the baseline. If he is unable to return, Obi Toppin and Ben Sheppard will likely pick up extra minutes.
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