Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard spoke confidently after his team’s 121-112 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Nembhard led the way with 23 points on 7-of-10 shooting, including 5-of-6 from three-point range. His performance helped the Pacers seize momentum late, especially as Cleveland mounted a comeback attempt in the final period.
When asked about his scoring and his ability to create his own shot, Nembhard attributed much of his success to the team’s fluid ball movement. “I think the ball movement was good, and they’re in rhythm,” Nembhard explained. “A lot of the times when a lot of guys are touching it, it just has a better energy about it.”
One of the standout aspects of the Pacers’ victory was their defensive effort, especially beyond the arc. Cleveland, typically strong from three-point range, shot just 23.7% on 9-of-38 attempts. Nembhard praised his team’s defensive execution, saying, “I thought we did a good job of just trying to make it tough, playing hard, running around, flying around, covering for each other, just trying to make it tough.”
Regarding the team’s mentality coming into the series, Nembhard emphasized a focus on competition and learning from the regular season. “The mentality coming into the playoffs is just to compete and to win games, and to come together and learn from all the experience we’ve had this year,” he said.
Despite Cleveland’s comeback effort in the final quarter, Nembhard’s Pacers remained poised. He discussed how the team handled the shifting momentum when Cleveland seemed to gain traction. “It got really loud in here, and it felt like the momentum was shifting a little bit, but I think we did a great job of controlling our emotions and focusing on the next play,” he said.
Nembhard also reflected on the contributions of his teammates, especially Tyrese Haliburton and Aaron Nesmith. Haliburton’s court vision was pivotal in the win, as he recorded 22 points and 13 assists. “Tyrese makes all of us better,” Nembhard stated. “He’s kind of old school in the way he plays—a pure point guard. He can really carve up defenses.”
Nembhard also highlighted Nesmith’s impact in the third quarter, where the forward made key three-pointers and played solid defense. “Big shot-making at the right times, as well as his defense,” Nembhard said. “Aaron’s always big for us.”
Looking ahead to Game 2, the Pacers will aim to carry their momentum into Cleveland, with Nembhard confident in his team’s ability to compete regardless of any external circumstances. “We just wanted to come in and compete and give ourselves the best chance regardless of who’s out there,” he concluded.
