Aaron Nesmith Ready to Go: Indiana Pacers Look to Extend Lead in Eastern Conference Finals
The Indiana Pacers are looking to extend their lead in the Eastern Conference Finals against the New York Knicks, and they have received a boost with the return of forward Aaron Nesmith. The team announced just hours before Game 4 that Nesmith will be available to play after rolling his right ankle in Sunday's loss to the Knicks.
Nesmith suffered the injury midway through the third quarter of Sunday's game when he came down awkwardly under the basket while trying to make a pass. He immediately reached for his right ankle, clearly in a lot of pain, and was helped off the floor and taken to the locker room. Despite the injury, he eventually returned to the game but missed all three shots he took in the final minutes and failed to stop Knicks star Jalen Brunson from hitting a critical basket.
"Aaron is sore today, predictably," said Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle on Monday. "But he's a game-time decision for Game 4." While Nesmith is likely still feeling the effects of his rolled ankle, it's clearly not severe enough to keep him off the floor.
Nesmith, now in his third season with the Pacers, averaged 12 points and four rebounds per game during the regular season. He dropped 30 points in the Pacers' wild Game 1 win in overtime over New York, and he's averaged 16.7 points per game so far this series with the Knicks. The 25-year-old signed a three-year, $33 million extension with the team in 2023 that will keep him with the franchise through the 2026-27 campaign.
The Pacers hold a 2-1 series lead over the Knicks heading into Tuesday night's contest in Indianapolis. The Pacers, now back in the Eastern Conference Finals for a second straight season, have not made it to the NBA Finals since 2000. With Nesmith back in the lineup, the Pacers will be looking to continue their strong play and extend their lead in the series against the Knicks.
Nesmith's return is a huge boost for the Pacers, who have been struggling with injuries throughout the playoffs. The team has been relying on their depth and resilience to stay afloat, and Nesmith's presence will give them another option on offense and defense. With his experience and talent, Nesmith is a key player for the Pacers as they look to make a deep run in the playoffs this season.
