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News, Blog and GuidesThe 24-year-old Indiana Pacers guard came in to replace Tyrese Haliburton in Game 3 against the Boston Celtics.
William GittinsWillGittUpdate: May 25th, 2024 22:53 EDT0
Trevor RuszkowskiUSA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con
The Indiana Pacers turned to Andrew Nembhard for Game 3 against the Boston Celtics and the back-up guard impressed for Rick Carlisle’s side.
Nembhard racked up 21 points in the first half alone, firing his side into a commanding lead at the break. He joined the team as a second round pick in the 2022 NBA Draft but has averaged fewer than 10 points per game (ppg) in each of his first two seasons.
When Nembhard joined the Pacers two years ago he signed a four-year deal with a total of $8,583,166. That works out at a little more than $2 million per year, meaning that Nembhard’s salary accounts for less than 25 of the Pacers’ salary cap.
At the end of the 2023/24 season Nembhard will be halfway through his four-year deal in Indianapolis. He is set to become a free agent in the summer of 2026.
Nembhard steps up in place of injured Haliburton
The big news for the Pacers ahead of Game 3 was the fitness of two-time NBA All-Star Tyrese Haliburton, who was forced off with injury during the Game 2 loss. Haliburton had suffered a reoccurrence of a left hamstring issue that kept him on the sidelines for ten games earlier this year.
