Game 3 of the highly anticipated Eastern Conference semifinal series between the Indiana Pacers and the Boston Celtics delivered everything fans hoped for—and then some. But while most expected the usual star power to headline the night, the spotlight shifted dramatically. The fireworks came from an unexpected source: reserve guard Andrew Nembhard, who exploded for a career night and turned the tide of the series in dramatic fashion.
Coming into the game, the series was tied 1-1. Boston had taken Game 1 convincingly at home, riding on the stellar play of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Indiana, however, bounced back with a gritty Game 2 win, powered by Tyrese Haliburton’s playmaking and Myles Turner’s defensive presence. As the series shifted to Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, the energy was electric, and fans hoped their team would seize momentum on home court.
From the opening tip, it was clear both teams came ready to compete. The Celtics looked sharp early, executing well on both ends and building a 10-point lead by the end of the first quarter. Tatum was aggressive, attacking the rim and drawing fouls, while Derrick White and Jrue Holiday made life difficult for the Pacers’ backcourt. Haliburton struggled to find his rhythm, facing double-teams and aggressive traps, and it looked like Boston might be on the verge of stealing one on the road.
Enter Andrew Nembhard.
The second-year guard out of Gonzaga had flown under the radar throughout most of the postseason. Known more for his poise and solid decision-making than for his scoring, Nembhard had averaged just 6.8 points through the first two games of the series. But in Game 3, he transformed into the unlikely hero Indiana desperately needed.
It started subtly—an open three-pointer in the second quarter to cut Boston’s lead to six. Then a pull-up jumper in transition. A tough and-one finish over Holiday. Before long, Nembhard was in rhythm, and the Pacers were back in the game. By halftime, he had already scored 15 points, and the arena was buzzing. The Pacers went into the break tied 52-52, thanks largely to Nembhard’s sudden scoring surge.
The second half was where he truly took over.
With Haliburton still struggling and Boston putting increased pressure on Indiana’s perimeter players, head coach Rick Carlisle leaned heavily on Nembhard to initiate the offense. He responded with confidence and maturity beyond his years. In one dazzling stretch during the third quarter, Nembhard scored or assisted on 14 consecutive points for the Pacers. He knocked down step-back threes, weaved through defenders for floaters, and dished out crisp passes that led to easy dunks for Turner and Obi Toppin.
Defensively, he was equally impactful. Tasked with guarding the bigger Brown and occasionally even Tatum, Nembhard held his ground, forced a couple of turnovers, and fought through screens with tenacity. His effort sparked the entire team. The Pacers, feeding off his energy, outscored Boston 33-21 in the third quarter and entered the fourth with a comfortable cushion.
But Boston wasn’t going down without a fight. A furious comeback in the early minutes of the fourth quarter cut Indiana’s lead to just three. The Celtics pressed full court, forced back-to-back turnovers, and suddenly the pressure was mounting. That’s when Nembhard delivered the dagger—a cold-blooded three from the left wing with the shot clock winding down, silencing the Celtics run and reigniting the home crowd.
By the final buzzer, Nembhard had racked up a career-high 29 points on 11-of-15 shooting, including 5-of-7 from beyond the arc. He added 6 assists, 4 rebounds, and 2 steals in what was easily the best performance of his young career. The Pacers walked away with a 109-101 win, taking a 2-1 lead in the series and putting themselves in a strong position moving forward.
After the game, Carlisle praised Nembhard’s poise and preparation: “He’s a competitor. He doesn’t get rattled. We’ve seen it in practice, and tonight he showed the whole country what he’s capable of.” Haliburton, who struggled through a quiet 12-point night, also gave credit where it was due: “He stepped up big time. That’s what this team is about—next man up, and Andrew was that guy tonight.”
Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla acknowledged Nembhard’s impact but remained focused. “He made some big shots. Give him credit. We’ve got to adjust and be better next game. This is playoff basketball—you’ve got to expect the unexpected.”
Indeed, the playoffs are where legends are born and where role players can become stars overnight. Game 3 was a perfect example. Andrew Nembhard’s eruption not only secured a vital win for the Pacers but also reshaped the narrative of the series. With Game 4 looming, both teams will have to adjust. Boston must figure out how to contain Indiana’s newest weapon, while the Pacers will hope Nembhard’s breakout was no fluke.
One thing is certain: Game 3 brought fireworks from an unexpected source, and it may have just changed the course of this Eastern Conference battle.
