When the Indiana Pacers built their roster around Tyrese Haliburton, they knew they were crafting an offense powered by one of the most creative, fast-paced, and intelligent young guards in the NBA. His ability to stretch the floor, control the tempo, and make his teammates better has been at the heart of Indiana’s revival. So when Haliburton misses time due to injury or management-related rest, the entire team feels the ripple effect. But in a recent insider report coming from the Pacers’ organization, a clear message was sent: someone must emerge in Haliburton’s absence, and the burden isn’t just on one individual—it’s a collective call to action, though one name is being whispered louder than others. That name is Andrew Nembhard.
Nembhard has already built a reputation as a reliable, savvy floor general who can handle pressure and facilitate in half-court sets. But stepping into the void left by Haliburton isn’t simply about being serviceable—it’s about elevating. It’s about becoming a primary playmaker, a scorer when needed, and a leader under the bright lights. The Pacers insider, speaking on condition of anonymity but clearly aligned with the coaching staff’s thinking, outlined what the team needs from Nembhard: poise, control, and a willingness to take risks. That last piece may be the most critical.
Haliburton is not just a stat accumulator; he is a tempo setter. His vision unlocks shooters in the corners, lob threats on rolls, and last-second dump-offs in transition. Without him, the Pacers can often look disjointed, as if waiting for someone to make the same reads Haliburton does naturally. Nembhard, while technically gifted and emotionally mature, has often leaned conservative in his decision-making. But now, the team needs boldness. The Pacers need him to take chances—to become a threat defenses must prepare for every possession.
One key challenge is balancing ball movement with aggression. Nembhard has shown he can execute the game plan, but the Pacers are urging him to create the game plan on the floor. When Haliburton sits, the Pacers lose their conductor. Nembhard is being asked not just to play notes, but to compose the music. That means reading mismatches, recognizing momentary defensive lapses, and acting before the defense can recover. It’s a level of orchestration that many guards never fully master. But the Pacers see something in Nembhard that suggests he could get there—and quickly.
Another name the insider mentioned as crucial in this stretch is Bennedict Mathurin. A gifted scorer with natural athleticism, Mathurin is expected to carry more of the scoring load when Haliburton isn’t available. His shot creation has improved, but he still tends to drift in and out of games. The challenge for Mathurin is consistency—not just in points, but in effort, defense, and off-ball movement. With Haliburton present, it’s easy for Mathurin to spot up or attack off closeouts. Without him, the ball won’t always find Mathurin in perfect rhythm. He’ll need to go looking for it and create his own. This is his opportunity to grow from a scoring threat to a multidimensional offensive weapon.
Yet, according to the insider, it’s not just about offense. Defense becomes even more essential when Haliburton isn’t setting the pace. Nembhard has already proven to be a strong perimeter defender, and that will remain a priority. But as a team, the Pacers must lock in defensively to compensate for the drop in offensive efficiency. Myles Turner, the veteran big man and defensive anchor, will have to remind everyone why he’s been one of the league’s top rim protectors for years. His presence in the paint has always been valuable, but in Haliburton’s absence, it becomes foundational. If the Pacers want to grind out wins without their star point guard, they’ll need to hang their hats on defense, rebounding, and energy plays.
Beyond the obvious names, the insider also pointed to an X-factor: Obi Toppin. Known for his high-flying dunks and transition finishes, Toppin has largely been a complementary piece since arriving in Indiana. But now, the team believes he can be more. The coaching staff is encouraging him to look for his shot earlier in the shot clock, to cut more aggressively, and to use his athleticism to create mismatch problems. Toppin has the tools to be a consistent 15-point scorer if he plays with confidence and urgency. In Haliburton’s absence, the offense will need those contributions from unlikely places.
The insider emphasized that this stretch without Haliburton could define the season for Indiana. If the team crumbles, it will reinforce a narrative that they’re too dependent on one player to contend. But if they thrive—or at least survive—it sends a different message to the league: the Pacers are deeper than people think, and their system is resilient. That kind of development pays dividends when playoff time arrives, especially if Haliburton finds himself in foul trouble, facing elite defenders, or navigating injuries.
It’s also worth noting that head coach Rick Carlisle is instrumental during this stretch. His ability to adapt on the fly, maximize lineups, and empower younger players becomes even more critical without his lead guard on the floor. Carlisle has always been a coach who values intelligence and flexibility, and this period will test both. Expect him to experiment more—perhaps giving more minutes to second-unit guards, mixing up defensive schemes, and calling more set plays to get scorers like Mathurin and Toppin into comfortable spots. The coaching strategy becomes less about riding Haliburton’s brilliance and more about manipulating the chess board across 48 minutes.
Even fans and team culture are part of the equation. Haliburton brings charisma and energy that permeate the locker room and ignite the crowd. Without him, leadership becomes decentralized. Nembhard may lead by quiet example, Turner may lead by veteran presence, and Mathurin may lead by emotion and fire. But someone needs to be the heartbeat. The Pacers insider didn’t name a specific voice but hinted that this could be a period where multiple players grow into those roles.
There’s also the question of external perception. Other teams will look at Indiana as vulnerable without Haliburton. Opponents may press full-court more, trap Nembhard, force others to initiate offense. If the Pacers respond poorly, it gives rival teams a mental edge come playoff matchups. But if Indiana punches back, wins some games they shouldn’t, and finds cohesion during this test, it adds an element of fearlessness to their identity. It says, “We’re not just Haliburton and a supporting cast—we’re a team.”
From a front-office perspective, these games may even impact roster decisions. If someone like Nembhard or Toppin flourishes in a larger role, it could shape future lineups or even trade strategies. Conversely, if the team flatlines, it could be a signal that reinforcements are needed before the deadline. Depth is always crucial in a playoff run, and seeing who can rise when Haliburton isn’t around offers crucial data points.
For Nembhard personally, this stretch is massive. Every possession is an audition—not just for more minutes, but for the role of future co-star. The NBA is built on opportunity, and when stars miss time, role players can rewrite their trajectories. Nembhard has the respect of the locker room, the trust of Carlisle, and the tools to grow. Now he must seize the moment. If he can average close to a double-double, cut down on turnovers, and prove himself in late-game situations, he could accelerate his growth curve by seasons.
Mathurin, too, stands at a crossroads. Is he merely a high-octane scorer, or is he ready to become a complete player? Defense, rebounding, playmaking—these aren’t luxuries, they’re requirements now. The same goes for Toppin and even deeper rotation players like Aaron Nesmith, who has shown flashes of two-way reliability. It’s all hands on deck.
Ultimately, the Pacers are looking at this period not as a curse, but as an opportunity. Growth doesn’t happen in comfort. It happens when a team is stretched beyond its current limits, when the game gets harder, and when roles are redefined. Haliburton’s absence creates that crucible. It demands urgency, attention to detail, and internal leadership. And while fans may anxiously await his return, the coaching staff sees this as the moment to mold the rest of the roster into something stronger—something more dangerous.
The Pacers have spent the past few years building a foundation. Tyrese Haliburton is the cornerstone, no doubt. But if Indiana truly wants to take the next step—into true contention—then what happens in these Haliburton-less games may prove even more important than what happens when he’s on the floor. Nembhard, Mathurin, Turner, Toppin—they all have something to prove. And as the insider makes clear, now is their time.
