Aaron Nesmith Plays Through Ankle Injury in High-Stakes Game
The Indiana Pacers aren’t making any big changes to their starting lineup for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals—Aaron Nesmith is sticking around. Even after twisting his right ankle in Game 3 against the New York Knicks, Nesmith has been cleared by the team doctors. His presence on the court is a bold move, especially considering how much he limped off the court just a night before.
The injury happened in the third quarter when Nesmith landed wrong after making a jump pass. He was clearly uncomfortable right away, hobbling off so trainers could check him out. The Pacers’ medical team did what they could—re-taped his ankle and assessed his movement. Nesmith wasn’t gone for long. Coach Rick Carlisle made sure he got back on the court as fast as possible, not wanting his leg to stiffen up and get worse. Athletes know if you sit too long, swelling and pain set in fast.
Even though he was favoring his right foot by the end of Game 3, Nesmith’s willingness to play shows just how much the Pacers are leaning on him this postseason. His stats don’t lie either: 15.1 points and 6.2 rebounds per game since the playoffs started. But numbers only tell half the story.
On the defensive end, Nesmith has been the closest thing to a Brunson stopper that Indiana has. Jalen Brunson, the Knicks’ go-to scorer, has struggled when Nesmith guards him—his shooting numbers dip significantly under Nesmith’s attention. By contrast, when Andrew Nembhard took a turn defending Brunson, things didn’t go nearly as smoothly. Nesmith isn’t just defending; he’s changing how the Knicks run their offense. If Brunson can’t get comfortable, New York’s options dry up quickly.
But Nesmith racks up points too, and the Pacers badly need his offense. This postseason, he’s shooting a blistering 52% from the floor and an even hotter 54% from beyond the arc. Game 1 was a fireworks show: he drained six three-pointers in the fourth quarter alone, a shooting display that earned him a spot in the NBA playoff record book. Every team talks about the need to spread the floor—Nesmith actually does it, and when he gets hot, the Pacers’ offense ignites.
Pacers’ Championship Hopes Ride on Nesmith’s Health
Coach Carlisle isn’t oblivious to the risk, though. Sprained ankles are no small thing during the playoffs, especially when you’re lugging around heavy minutes night after night. After the adrenaline wears off, it’s common for the injury to stiffen and for pain to increase. Carlisle made it clear that getting Nesmith back quickly after medical clearance wasn’t just about tonight—it was about keeping him loose and ready for the rest of the series.
If Nesmith were to hobble, the Pacers might have to juggle their defensive plans on the fly. Nobody on the Indiana roster matches up with Brunson as well, and without Nesmith’s hot hand, the offense could buckle. Betting on a guy with a fresh ankle sprain is a risky gamble, but the Aaron Nesmith story this postseason has been about grit, not excuses.
Fans are going to watch every defensive switch and three-point attempt, looking for signs that Nesmith is still himself. If he manages to keep up the pace, Indiana could keep its Finals dreams alive a little longer. And you can bet the Knicks will do what they can to test that ankle early and often tonight.