Jun 5, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) drives to the basket past Indiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam (43) during the fourth quarter during game one of the 2025 NBA Finals at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

'I Don’t Know If He Gets a Nice Whistle' – Indiana Pacers Star Gets 100% Real on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Free Throws

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Jordan Samar | Last updated Sep 18, 2025 10:46 AM ET

Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard recently described how difficult it is to guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander , as he was the primary defender of the Oklahoma City Thunder star during last season’s NBA Finals.

In a recent episode of the Hello and Welcome show, Nembhard was asked if Gilgeous-Alexander has a “nice whistle” from the referees. The Indiana Pacers guard took the high road by acknowledging that the Oklahoma City Thunder star does “get fouled a lot.”

“I think he shoots more free throws, doesn’t he? I don’t know if he gets a ‘nice whistle.’ I mean, he also drives (to the lane),” Nembhard said about Gilgeous-Alexander.

Jun 22, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (8) and Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard (2) battle for the ball during the first quarter during game seven of the 2025 NBA Finals at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

“I think he leads the league in drives or something like that. So he’s in the position to get fouled the most too… I don’t necessarily think he’s baiting or anything. I think he gets fouled a lot of the time,” he added.

Indiana Pacers News: Andrew Nembhard sends clear message to former teammate

Andrew Nembhard also shared his thoughts on Myles Turner’s shocking move to the Milwaukee Bucks this summer, and the Indiana Pacers guard can’t wait to face his former teammate this upcoming season.

May 19, 2024; New York, New York, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam (43) and guard Andrew Nembhard (2) celebrate with teammates during the fourth quarter of game seven of the second round of the 2024 NBA playoffs against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

“I mean, at the end of the day, I want to see him do well, you know? Glad he got paid, and wishing him success in the future, not against us. But for himself,” Nembhard said about Turner.

“I think it just builds into the rivalry that we already got going. It’s going to be an exciting matchup this year. It’s going to get even better than before – now that we’re not on the same team anymore,” he added.