On Sunday, Pacers forward Aaron Nesmith, whose offensive heroics in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals grabbed headlines and whose defensive heroics have been notable throughout the series, suffered a twisted right ankle in the third quarter of Game 3, a Pacers loss.
Nesmith was able to withstand the pain, get back on the floor and play through the injury.
But playing through it in Game 4 might be a different story. On Monday, the Pacers had to file their daily injury report with the NBA ahead of that critical game, and the outlook for Nesmith was not great. According to the report, he is listed as, "questionable," with the report noting his injury: "Right Ankle; Sprain."
May 13, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Aaron Nesmith (23) and guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) celebrate during the second half of game five against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Indiana Pacers forward Aaron Nesmith (23) and guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) celebrate during the second half of game five against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena.
Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
According to NBA protocols, anyone listed as "questionable" on the injury report is purported to have a 50% chance of playing the next day. That can be upgraded ahead of Tuesday night's game, and Pacers coach Rick Carlisle has indicated that Nesmith will be a game-time decision.
Nesmith scored 30 points, 20 of which came in the fourth quarter, in the Pacers' remarkable comeback win in Game 1 at Madison Square Garden. He shot 6-for-7 from the 3-point line in that game. He's scored jsut 20 total points in two games since, but his physical defense on Knicks star point guard Jalen Brunson has been key for the Pacers.
On Monday afternoon, Carlisle told reporters, "Aaron is sore today — predictably. He will be likely a game-time decision. Probably be listed as questionable.”
This evening when the Pacers officially filed their report he was, in fact, questionable.
Game 4 will be played in Indiana on Tuesday night at 8 p.m., with Indiana leading the series, 2-1.