Pacers Injury Report: Aaron Nesmith a Game-time Decision

Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals came down to the timely clutch sharpshooting of the Indiana Pacers’ Aaron Nesmith, who is now dealing with an injury to his ankle ahead of a Game 4 clash with the New York Knicks. The Pacers opened the series on the road and stole two wins in Madison Square Garden. They had the series in their clutches until the Knicks turned the tables on the Pacers and stole Game 3. With Game 4 less than 24 hours away, what the Pacers don’t need right now is bad news on the injury front.

Pacers Injury Report: Aaron Nesmith a Game-Time Decision

Indiana Pacers’ Aaron Nesmith’s ankle injury leaves Game 4 status uncertain

Nesmith was electric in Game 1, and the Pacers likely owe the win to him. With the injury to his ankle suffered in Game 3, Nesmith’s availability for Game 4 is in question. According to ESPN, Nesmith will be a game-time decision. It’s an interesting turn of events, considering Nesmith returned in Game 3 following the injury. He played the rest of the game and appeared fine, with a slight limp here and there. Of course, when it comes to ankles, things have the ability to look and feel completely different the next morning.

Before Nesmith went down in the third quarter, he was having a rather average game, similar to his Game 2 performance, where he mustered just 8 points. He finished with 12 points in Game 3. Both games starkly contrasted his 30-point masterpiece in the opening tilt. Can Indiana survive a game without him? They likely can. However, Nesmith is a solid defender, and they would heavily miss that element of his game whether he puts up points or not.

Nesmith has received the brunt of Knicks guard Jalen Brunson throughout the first three games, defending him more than any other Pacers player. Brunson, being the clutch player that he is, has the ability to go off at any point in a game. If Indiana loses Nesmith for Game 4, it could open the door for Brunson.

Nesmith’s career-best playoff performances are on display

Nesmith is putting together the best postseason run of his career, albeit it is a limited bag of postseason experience. Still, regardless, he’s breaking out, so to speak. In 13 playoff games this season, Nesmith is averaging 15.1 points on 52% shooting and 54% from 3. His 15.1 PPG exceeds his regular season average of 12, as does his shooting percentage (50.7% in the regular season).

Suffice it to say that Nesmith has stepped up in the Pacers’ return to the Eastern Conference Finals. Last year, their run ended there. This year, as they head into Game 4 with a 2-1 series lead over the Knicks, Indiana is all the more closer to reaching its first NBA Finals appearance since 2000.

Nesmith, alongside other key role players like Andrew Nembhard, Obi Toppin, T.J. McConnell, and even Ben Sheppard, are making the most of their opportunities.

 

The post Pacers Injury Report: Aaron Nesmith a Game-time Decision appeared first on Last Word On Basketball.