Indiana Pacers X-Factor For The 2025-26 Season - Andrew Nembhard

The Indiana Pacers are entering the 2025–26 season with a dramatically different outlook than what they entered last season’s playoffs with. With All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton sidelined for the entire season recovering from Achilles surgery, and Myles Turner departing to join the Milwaukee Bucks, 25-year-old Andrew Nembhard enters his fourth season as a focal point for the team.

Nembhard is no stranger to the starting lineup, playing 175 of his 208 career regular-season games with the first five, but his role this time around will certainly be different. Averaging 9.6 points and 4.6 assists with shooting percentage splits of 46/33/79 during the regular season, Nembhard has proven capable of elevating his game, as evidenced by postseason stats of 13.5 points and 5 assists with splits of 51/47/79. For the Pacers to remain relevant in the Eastern Conference standings, they will need the playoff version of Nembhard all season long.

With Haliburton’s 21.6% usage rate sitting on the sidelines, Nembhard is in a prime position to absorb a significant amount of those possessions, providing the opportunity to evolve from a complementary player to a primary focus.

What makes Nembhard an X-factor rather than simply a replacement player is his two-way skill set. Both a playmaker and a defensive threat, the Canadian combo guard gives Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle flexibility in constructing his lineups. Standing 6'5", 200 lbs, Nembhard’s size, ability to play with and without the ball, and basketball IQ allow Indiana multiple options on both ends of the court.

If Nembhard can channel his playoff numbers or better throughout the 82-game regular season, the Pacers can remain competitive in the Eastern Conference despite the loss of two key players. If he struggles, the team is likely headed to the Play-In game or draft lottery. While many may view this as a lost season for the Pacers, this is a great opportunity for Nembhard to establish himself as a legitimate NBA starting guard and a leader of the team.