INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard will have a new role this season: starting point guard.
”It changes my whole perception of the game,” Nembhard said. “Bringing the ball up is a whole new way of looking at the game instead of running off the ball.”
Nembhard will orchestrate coach Rick Carlisle’s offense as the team’s primary ball handler with Tyrese Haliburton sidelined for the entire 2025 NBA campaign. Haliburton tore his right Achilles tendon in Game 7 of the NBA Finals in June.
Nembhard averaged 10 points, five assists and 3.3 rebounds per game on 45.8% shooting from the field last season. Carlisle said Nembhard will have “a lot” more playmaking responsibility in addition to his usual task of guarding the opposing team’s primary ballhandler or best perimeter player during most games.
Nembhard said he doesn’t want to be tentative on defense because of his new offensive responsibilities but hopes to “understand his spots.” Nembhard’s load won’t be light, but Carlisle said the Pacers “can’t play (Nembhard) into oblivion.”
Nembhard’s teammates also have to adjust to the former second round pick assuming the starting point guard mantle. Nembhard tends to play downhill and get into the paint more than Haliburton.
”I’m going to have to learn to play at Andrew’s pace,” Pacers forward Aaron Nesmith said. “He’s not the same player as Tyrese, but plays in the same system.”
Carlisle wants his players to maintain a fast, hard style of play. He said the team will make adjustments and admitted, “It’ll be a lot of work,” but trusts the season “will be great.”
Pacers forward Pascal Siakam believes Indiana has the chemistry needed to excel without its star player and won’t place the onus on just Nembhard to fill Haliburton’s shoes.
”It’s always been about team … and this year it’s not going to be different,” Siakam said. “We are going to have to do it collectively. … It’s not going to take one person to replace Ty. That’s the way we got to think about it.”
Nembhard’s intentions align with Siakam’s sentiments. The Gonzaga alum said he wants to “find my voice” and lead by example through his work ethic as the starting point guard.
“It’s a lot of the same guys with a lot of new roles. We got to understand how we can figure out those roles and be the best we can,” Nembhard said. “Our standard is our standard and it starts with being competitive and being together as a group. We want to let that continue throughout the year with whoever is on the court.”
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This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard embraces point guard responsibility
