Pacers Guard Andrew Nembhard Suffers Shoulder Injury in Season Opener

Andrew Nembhard, the Indiana Pacers' starting point guard, left the season opener against the Oklahoma City Thunder due to a sore left shoulder and did not return for the second half. This injury adds to the Pacers' already challenging guard situation, with Tyrese Haliburton out for the season due to an Achilles injury and backups T.J. McConnell, Kam Jones, and Quenton Jackson also sidelined with various injuries. Nembhard had recorded four points, four assists, and one rebound in 17 minutes despite shooting 0-for-5 from the field before leaving the game. Head coach Rick Carlisle indicated the injury could present significant challenges for the team and that Nembhard would undergo further testing. In Nembhard's absence, Ben Sheppard and rookie Taelon Peter stepped up to fill the void, but the Pacers still struggled, ultimately losing in double overtime to the Thunder. The severity of Nembhard's injury remains unclear, but the team is expected to take a cautious approach to his recovery given his importance to the team's competitiveness this season.