Indiana Pacers: Andrew Nembhard Hailed for His Toughness, Game-Winning Shot in Game 3 Victory Vs. New York Knicks

With the game tied at 106 after Jalen Brunson’s game-tying triple, it was Andrew Nembhard who hit the biggest shot of the game by converting a stepback three-pointer with 16 seconds left to break the deadlock and give the Indiana Pacers the lead for good.

Before his go-ahead triple, Nembhard was scoreless in the first 46 minutes of the match before converting a tiebreaking layup with 1:55 left in the final period. The 24-year-old guard finished with five points, five rebounds, and six assists.

Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam led the scoring for the Indiana Pacers, with the former tallying 35 points seven assists, four rebounds, two steals, and six three-pointers made and the latter having 26 points and seven rebounds on 9-of-14 shooting from the field.

Andrew Nembhard praised for stepping up for the Indiana Pacers in Game 3

Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle and point guard Tyrese Haliburton took turns complimenting Andrew Nembhard for his demeanor in clutch situations like in Game 3, with the former saying that the Canadian guard relishes these moments.

“He’s one of our toughest guys, mentally and physically. He’s really gained a love for these kinds of moments and playing this kind of stage, this kind of level of competition,” Carlisle said after Game 3. “The clock was down and sometimes in those situations it frees you up even more, and he just laced it.”

“I probably held the ball a little too long or should have been more aggressive to attack the blitz. It was a big, big shot. Drew just really stepped up in the moment we needed him,” Haliburton added about Nembhard.

The Indiana Pacers have improved to 4-0 at home this postseason and will host Game 4 on Sunday.