Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard on Friday hit the biggest shot of the game against the New York Knicks at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Ind. Even his own teammate Tyrese Haliburton was left stunned by the improbable bucket.
The Pacers survived a 111-106 thriller to take Game 3 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series against the Knicks.
With the prospect of falling into an 0-3 hole looming large for the Pacers, Nembhard drained a go-ahead three with 16.4 seconds left. The desperation heave to beat the shot clock gave the Pacers a 109-106 lead they wouldn’t relinquish.
ANDREW NEMBHARD, BANG 🤯 pic.twitter.com/clLP30BiP5
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) May 11, 2024
The Knicks seemingly made the wise decision to double Haliburton, forcing the Pacers star to get rid of the ball during the crucial possession. New York instead got burned by the lone Indiana starter who failed to score in double figures in Game 3.
Haliburton looked like every Pacers fan in the building after seeing the ball go through the net.
Tyrese Haliburton's reaction to Andrew Nembhard's game winner 😂 https://t.co/tlFLSm9Jqz pic.twitter.com/wOI8MvypTI
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) May 11, 2024
The shot also had former Pacers All-Star Roy Hibbert fired up courtside.
Roy Hibbert was all of us before, during and after Andrew Nembhard’s gamer 🙌🔥 pic.twitter.com/Q72SiQ1IEO
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) May 11, 2024
Nembhard was 1/7 from the field before making the series-saving shot for the Pacers. The 30-foot jumper was the longest-made three-pointer of Nembhard’s young career.
Nembhard finished with 5 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists on 2/8 shooting from the field.
Haliburton had a team-high 35 points on 14/26 shooting to go along with 7 assists and 6 threes.
