Andrew Nembhard is stepping into the biggest role of his young NBA career, and the Indiana Pacers are counting on him to deliver in ways he has never been asked to before. With Tyrese Haliburton, the team’s All-Star floor general, officially ruled out for the rest of the season, the responsibility of leading the offense and guiding Indiana through the playoff push has fallen squarely onto Nembhard’s shoulders. It is a significant shift not only for the player but also for the entire organization, as General Manager Chad Buchanan has publicly made it clear that the Pacers believe Nembhard is ready for this challenge. In his own words, Buchanan emphasized that they expect him “to run our team, be more assertive as a scorer, and lead the group,” which is both a vote of confidence and a challenge that could define the trajectory of Nembhard’s career moving forward.
For much of the season, Nembhard has been operating in the shadows of Haliburton, coming off the bench in spurts or starting the occasional game when the team’s rotation demanded it. His role, though important, was largely supplementary—meant to keep the offense steady when Haliburton rested or to fill gaps when the Pacers needed a defensive guard to match up against high-level perimeter scorers. Now, however, those training wheels are gone. There is no star point guard to rely on to make the offense hum. There is no fallback plan. Nembhard is not just playing spot minutes anymore; he is the primary decision-maker, tasked with balancing scoring and playmaking while maintaining the fast-paced, high-octane style that has made Indiana such an exciting team this year.
When Haliburton was healthy, the Pacers were one of the league’s most dynamic offenses, consistently pushing the pace and punishing teams with quick ball movement and transition buckets. Much of that was due to Haliburton’s elite vision and creativity as a passer, which allowed the team to spread the floor and get easy looks. Nembhard, while not as flashy or naturally gifted as Haliburton in the passing department, has shown flashes of being a strong floor general in his own right. He plays with poise, rarely gets rattled by pressure, and has the ability to make the right reads in pick-and-roll situations. What the Pacers will now be looking for is whether he can scale those abilities up, taking on a star-like load without sacrificing efficiency or composure.
The Pacers’ coaching staff, led by Rick Carlisle, will play a crucial role in helping Nembhard adjust to this responsibility. Carlisle is known for his ability to develop guards and put them in positions to succeed, and his trust in Nembhard is evident. There will undoubtedly be growing pains as Nembhard transitions from being a secondary playmaker to the team’s primary offensive catalyst. Defenses will now be game-planning specifically to slow him down, and he will have to adapt to the added attention. This means improving his ability to create his own shot, making quicker decisions in tight spaces, and consistently being aggressive without forcing bad looks. The mental shift from being a complementary piece to being “the guy” is not something every player can handle, but the Pacers believe Nembhard has the temperament and skill set to thrive.
One of the most interesting aspects of Nembhard’s game is his balance between patience and assertiveness. During his time in the league so far, he has shown a knack for staying within himself, not overextending or trying to do too much. But with Haliburton out, there will be times when he needs to take over games, look for his own shot, and provide the scoring punch that the team needs. His mid-range game, which has been a steady weapon, will become even more important, as defenses might try to push him off the three-point line or funnel him into the paint where rim protectors await. Nembhard will need to be creative, leveraging pick-and-rolls, floaters, and crafty finishes to keep defenders off balance.
Another key factor in Indiana’s success moving forward will be how well Nembhard can elevate his teammates. Players like Bennedict Mathurin, Myles Turner, Aaron Nesmith, and Buddy Hield will all be looking to Nembhard to set them up for quality looks, and his ability to orchestrate the offense will directly impact their effectiveness. Turner, in particular, thrives in pick-and-pop scenarios, and the chemistry between him and Nembhard will be a focal point in Indiana’s offensive schemes. Likewise, Mathurin’s aggressive slashing style pairs well with a guard who can collapse defenses and make timely passes, so Nembhard’s reads in transition and half-court sets will be critical.
The Pacers are in a unique position this season, fighting for playoff positioning in a competitive Eastern Conference. With Haliburton’s absence, there’s a real chance the team could slip if they fail to adjust, which places added pressure on Nembhard to not only maintain the team’s current pace but to also find ways to elevate them. Buchanan’s public comments about Nembhard “running the team” were not just words—they signal a shift in organizational focus. This is a chance for Nembhard to prove that he is more than just a role player and that he has the potential to be a cornerstone piece alongside Haliburton once the All-Star returns next season.
For Nembhard himself, this moment is both a challenge and an opportunity. He has always been praised for his high basketball IQ, work ethic, and maturity, traits that are invaluable when stepping into a leadership role. He is not the loudest player on the court, but his calm demeanor can be a stabilizing force for a young Pacers roster that has at times struggled with consistency. If he can embrace this new role and lead by example—both with his play and his preparation—he could cement himself as an indispensable part of the team’s core moving forward.
In many ways, this situation mirrors the “next man up” mentality that defines successful teams. When a star goes down, someone has to rise to the occasion, and for the Pacers, that someone is Nembhard. It won’t be easy. There will be nights when defenses load up on him, when shots don’t fall, and when the team’s offense stalls. But how Nembhard responds to those challenges will reveal just how ready he is for this responsibility. The Pacers have put their faith in him, and now it’s up to him to show that their trust is well placed.
Fans should expect to see a different version of Nembhard in the coming weeks—a version that is more aggressive, more vocal, and more willing to take risks. The coaching staff will likely give him longer minutes, allow him to experiment with different offensive looks, and encourage him to be a leader both on and off the court. For a player who has spent much of his young career proving he belongs in the league, this is the perfect chance to take the next step and show he can thrive under pressure.
There is also the question of how this expanded role will impact his long-term development. Players often grow the most when they are thrown into situations that force them to expand their skill set. Nembhard will have to work on handling traps, making advanced reads, and finding ways to score even when his shot isn’t falling. These are the kinds of challenges that can turn a solid role player into a future All-Star, or at the very least, a reliable starter who can run an NBA offense effectively.
The Pacers’ success for the remainder of the season will hinge on how quickly Nembhard can adapt and how well the team rallies around him. The locker room dynamic will play a big role here. Veterans like Myles Turner and Buddy Hield will be crucial in supporting him, offering guidance, and helping share the leadership load. Younger players like Mathurin will need to step up as well, providing consistent scoring and energy to complement Nembhard’s playmaking. If the team can build chemistry and play cohesive basketball, there’s no reason they can’t remain competitive in the East despite the loss of their best player.
Ultimately, this is a defining stretch not only for Nembhard but for the Pacers as a franchise. They have been building a young core, developing talent, and trying to establish an identity that can compete with the elite teams in the league. This situation will test that identity. Can they remain resilient, adaptable, and driven? Can Nembhard, a player once seen as a secondary option, transform into the leader they need him to be? These questions will be answered in the coming months, but one thing is certain—the keys to the team are now firmly in his hands.
The rest of the season will be a proving ground for Andrew Nembhard, a chance for him to show that he can be more than just a backup guard or a temporary solution. It is his time to step into the spotlight, to lead with confidence, and to carry the Pacers through one of the most challenging stretches of their season. With Haliburton out, there is no safety net, no fallback plan. Nembhard must run the team, embrace the challenge, and deliver on the belief that both his teammates and the front office have in him. This is his moment, and the entire Indiana Pacers season now rides on his ability to rise to the occasion.
