Aaron Nesmith Pushes Through Pain for Pacers
You see it all the time: a player goes down in the playoffs, but something about the extra pressure and intensity has them right back on the floor before anyone expects. Aaron Nesmith just gave the Indiana Pacers one of those moments, suiting up for Game 4 against the New York Knicks despite hurting his right ankle in the previous matchup. The Pacers desperately needed their defensive anchor on the wing, and Nesmith delivered.
During Game 3, the mood in Gainbridge Fieldhouse shifted when Nesmith rolled his ankle in the third quarter of a tough loss. He had to leave, and for a second, it looked like Indiana’s plans for this series might unravel. But after spending some time with trainers and getting his ankle taped, Nesmith gritted his teeth and got back out there. He played seven minutes in the fourth, not at full speed, but enough to signal to the team that he wasn’t packing it in.
Coming into Game 4, Nesmith was officially called a game-time decision. That’s code for: he probably shouldn’t play, but if there’s any chance, he’s going. Head coach Rick Carlisle wasn’t shy about how much Nesmith means to his group. Carlisle explained Nesmith’s assignment was one of the toughest jobs in the series — slowing down Knicks guard Jalen Brunson, who’s been putting up serious numbers all postseason. No Pacers defender gets thrown into the fire as much as Nesmith, and the stats back up why Carlisle was eager to get him back.
Nesmith's Impact: More Than Just Points
Take a look at the numbers, and you’ll see why Nesmith’s availability matters so much. According to team stats, when Nesmith is on the court, the Pacers outscore the Knicks by a healthy nine points per 100 possessions. Swap him out, and things spiral quickly — Indiana falls behind by an eye-popping -18.1 margin. It’s no secret the Pacers need that edge, especially in the grind of a best-of-seven against a bruising team like New York.
Nesmith isn’t just a glue guy on defense. He’s had wild scoring swings too. Game 1 showed off his shooting, with 30 points and a barrage of eight threes. Since then, he’s been the guy Carlisle leans on to balance intensity, sticking to Brunson on defense while still being ready to knock down corner jumpers or spark a run. On a roster with big names and flashy scorers, Nesmith is the connector that keeps the game plan humming.
Game 3 exposed the Pacers’ weaknesses without him, as they stumbled with execution late and let the Knicks control the pace. Carlisle admitted, “We just simply did not execute as well as we needed to.” Those are the moments where Nesmith’s energy changes everything. His ability to cover ground on defense, draw tough assignments, and push the ball in transition is exactly the jolt Indiana needs. By making himself available for Game 4, he gave Indianapolis not just another healthy body, but a real belief that this series could tip their way again.
As the Pacers look to take a commanding lead, Nesmith’s willingness to fight through injury sets a tone. With every ankle tweak and hard cut, he’s showing the young Indiana squad exactly how much every playoff minute matters.
