Andrew Nembhard was cleared from day-to-day status on the Pacers' Friday, Oct. 16 injury report, erasing any doubt about his availability. He is set to play in Indiana's season opener against the Bucks that night.
What happened
The Pacers' injury report, updated Friday, Oct. 16 at 5:59 p.m. ET, lists Andrew Nembhard as cleared, up from day-to-day. He had carried the day-to-day tag since Tuesday, Oct. 13, when the designation was listed as undisclosed, and he was still marked day-to-day earlier on Friday before the final update lifted the tag. The report gave no further detail on the issue and included no comment. No expected return date was listed, since none applies now that he is cleared.
What it means for the Pacers
Nembhard is good to go for Indiana's opener against the Bucks on Friday, Oct. 16 at 7 p.m. ET. Last season he averaged 16.9 points, 7.7 assists and 2.8 rebounds in 31.3 minutes over 57 games, making him a primary ball handler alongside Pascal Siakam and Bennedict Mathurin. The 2026-27 season has not started, so there is no record with or without him yet. Had he sat, the rotation would have leaned more on Siakam, Mathurin, Aaron Nesmith and Jarace Walker to cover his minutes.
What to watch
The Pacers will issue another injury report ahead of their next game. T.J. McConnell, Jarace Walker and Aaron Nesmith are all listed as day-to-day on the same report, and Johnny Furphy is out with a right knee issue, so Indiana's injury list is worth tracking as the season opens.
Is Andrew Nembhard playing vs Bucks?
Yes. The Pacers cleared him from day-to-day on Friday, Oct. 16, and he is set to play in the season opener against the Bucks at 7 p.m. ET.
When will Andrew Nembhard be back?
He is already back. The Friday, Oct. 16 injury report lists him as cleared after being day-to-day since Tuesday, Oct. 13, with no detail given on the issue.