Despite having a 20-point lead and Knicks in Game 3, the Pacers lost 106-100. Luckily, Indiana still has a 2-1 series lead heading into the pivotal Game 4 on Tuesday.
Midway through the third quarter of Game 3, Pacers’ sci-fi Aaron Nemsith suffered from an ankle sprain. He had to be rescued by the court and returned with the fourth remaining 7:03. Indiana still loses the game and Nesmith is battling ankle injuries. Head coach Rick Carlisle said Nesmith would be “probably” a “game time” decision for the Pacers. They may not be without their top defenders for the most important game of the season.
Will Aaron Nesmith play in Game 4 for the Pacers?
Aaron Nesmith will be “probably” listed as a game time decision for tomorrow, and will be “probably” and “probably” suspicious, according to coach Rick Carlisle, who is Pacer’s coach.
Nesmith walked prominently in the locker room after ankle sprain.
– Tim Bontemps (@timbontemps) May 26, 2025
Aaron Nesmith started all 13 games for Pacer in the 2025 playoffs. That streak is at risk for Game 4 on Tuesday evening. The 25-year-old suffered from an ankle sprain midway through the third quarter of Game 3. Nesmith needed help from the court but returned to fourth. Head coach Rick Carlisle said it was a decision on how long Aaron Nesmith will play on Tuesday night.
Additionally, Carlisle pointed out that Nemsis woke up on Monday after scattering his ankles on Sunday evening. This postseason, Nemsith averages 15.1 points per game. This is the third most common for the Pacers in the 2025 playoffs. In the Game 1 vs Knicks, Aaron Nesmith scored a playoff career-high 30 points and made eight pointers. Six of them were in the fourth quarter.
In addition to being a solid contributor to the offense, Nemsys is the Knicks’ Jalen Branson’s leading Indiana defender. Not having a Nemsis would be a big blow to Rick Carlisle’s rotation. Nesmith averages 30.2 minutes per game this postseason. Backup guard Ben Sheppled was able to see the lengthy minutes on Tuesday if Nesmith couldn’t play. Indiana has a vital game 4. If they win, they have a 3-1 series lead and one victory from the final. Losses avoid the series in two games each, with Game 5 in New York.