In a stunning turn of events, Andrew Nembhard, the Aurora, Ont. native, went from a disastrous performance seven months ago to a near-perfect game on Saturday. Filling in for the injured Tyrese Haliburton against the Boston Celtics, Nembhard showcased his growth and maturity on the court.
Back in November, Nembhard struggled as a starter, scoring only 14 points on poor shooting in a blowout loss to the Celtics. Fast forward to the present, and Nembhard exploded for 32 points on 57% shooting, surpassing his previous career highs in both regular season and playoff games.
Despite his stellar performance, the Pacers fell short to the Celtics, who mounted a comeback in the second half. Nembhard’s inexperience showed in the final moments of the game when he turned the ball over to Jrue Holiday, sealing the victory for Boston.
Nevertheless, Nembhard’s teammates and coach were quick to praise his efforts. Pascal Siakam commended his growth, T.J. McConnell expressed his admiration for Nembhard’s game, and head coach Rick Carlisle lauded his courage on the court.
As the Pacers face elimination in the next game, Nembhard’s future remains uncertain. If they lose, Nembhard’s next destination could be Paris, as he has shown interest in representing Canada at the Olympics.
Despite the loss, Nembhard’s performance was a testament to his improvement and resilience, leaving fans eager to see what he will achieve next on the basketball court.