Andrew Nembhard Cleared, Early Returns Mixed for Pacers in 2026-27
Andrew Nembhard is not on the injury report after working through a brief Day-To-Day stretch that ended with him being cleared on October 16. His first three games back have come in reduced minutes compared to last season's workload, with Indiana still waiting for his scoring to climb back toward his 2025-26 numbers.
By the Pacers Nightly Desk · updated 5 d ago01The story of the nightNembhard Off the Injury ReportAndrew Nembhard is not on the injury report entering this stretch of the 2026-27 season.
Andrew Nembhard is not on the injury report entering this stretch of the 2026-27 season. He went through a Day-To-Day stretch tied to an undisclosed issue, first listed Day-To-Day on October 14, then Day-To-Day again on October 16 before getting cleared later that same day. The quick turnaround matters for Indiana, which leans on him to run the point when he is healthy. At 6-4 and 191 pounds, Nembhard plays both guard spots, listed at G-F, and the Pacers need him available given how much ball-handling and shot creation he provides. He wears No. 2 for Indiana and is entering his fourth season after coming out of Gonzaga.
02What Nembhard Did Last SeasonIn 2025-26, Nembhard appeared in 57 games for Indiana, averaging 31.3 minutes a night.
In 2025-26, Nembhard appeared in 57 games for Indiana, averaging 31.3 minutes a night. He put up 16.9 points, 7.7 assists, 2.8 rebounds, 0.9 steals and 0.1 blocks per game, with 2.4 turnovers. He shot 44.2 percent from the field, 36.1 percent from three and 82.5 percent at the free-throw line, good for a 56.4 true shooting mark. His usage rate sat at 23.3 percent, and his plus-minus was -6.9 on the year. Those numbers made him one of the more productive table-setters on the roster last season, a player who scored and created in roughly equal measure for the Pacers.
03Early Look at 2026-27Nembhard's first three games back were a mixed bag production-wise.
Nembhard's first three games back were a mixed bag production-wise. On October 16 against Milwaukee, in a loss, he had 11 points and 7 assists but no rebounds in 20.2 minutes. On October 10 against Atlanta, also a loss, he scored 10 points with 3 assists in 22.4 minutes. On October 7 against Minnesota, a win, he was quiet with 4 points, 1 rebound and 2 assists in 16.3 minutes. His minutes have been on the lower end across all three games compared to his 31.3 average from a year ago, which lines up with the Day-To-Day designation that bracketed this stretch of the schedule.
04BackgroundNembhard is 26 years old and now in his fourth NBA season, all of it with Indiana.
Nembhard is 26 years old and now in his fourth NBA season, all of it with Indiana. He arrived in the league out of Gonzaga, where his playmaking and feel for the game stood out before he turned pro. Listed at 6-4 and 191 pounds, he's built to guard both backcourt spots, tagged G-F on Indiana's roster, and he wears No. 2 for the Pacers. That size lets him play alongside other guards without a size disadvantage, which is part of why Indiana trusts him with primary ball-handling duties. Four years in, he's established himself as a steady piece of the Pacers backcourt rotation.
05What to WatchWith Nembhard cleared and off the injury report, the question for Indiana is whether his minutes climb back toward…
With Nembhard cleared and off the injury report, the question for Indiana is whether his minutes climb back toward last season's 31.3-per-game workload now that the Day-To-Day tag is gone. His assist numbers early this season, 7 against Milwaukee and 3 against Atlanta, show he can still set the table even in reduced minutes. The Pacers will want to see his scoring pick back up toward last season's 16.9-point average as he gets more time on the floor, and his minutes in the next few games should show whether the health scare is fully behind him.
Nembhard16.9 ppg
Pritchard17.0 ppg
