Oklahoma City — In a gripping Game 1 of the NBA Finals, the Indiana Pacers stood their ground against the Oklahoma City Thunder, emerging victorious with a narrow 111-110 win.
The focal point was Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the NBA MVP, who had an impressive 38 points during the contest. However, while the Pacers planned their offensive strategies, little attention was given to how they would contain the prolific Thunder star.
Ultimately, despite the Indiana Pacers’ unsuccessful challenge on a critical call regarding the ball going out of bounds, they demonstrated control on defense when it mattered most.
Andrew Nembhard stepped up as the primary defender against Gilgeous-Alexander, showcasing the immense faith his teammates have in him.
“I’ve got the utmost confidence in him,” Tyrese Haliburton remarked of Nembhard after the game, emphasizing the guard’s role in Indiana’s crucial win.
Haliburton, the game’s hero with a dramatic game-winner just 0.3 seconds from the end, was not the only Pacers player to shine. Nembhard’s defensive performance was pivotal, likened to a stellar goalie making clutch saves in the playoff intensity.
The Pacers’ identity revolves around a selfless approach to scoring. Each night can bring different heroes: whether Aaron Nesmith lights it up at Madison Square Garden, Siakam showcases his All-Star caliber, or Haliburton finishes as practically the best closer in the league.
However, one area where they are uniform in their commitment is defense. Nembhard has earned recognition as one of the league’s top on-ball defenders, and his teammates acknowledge this vital skill.
“He’s been our guy all year,” Haliburton noted, discussing Nembhard’s defensive prowess.
With Shai Gilgeous-Alexander being dubbed the toughest player to guard in the league, Nembhard was tasked with the challenge as the action intensified at the game’s climax.
Wariness of Gilgeous-Alexander’s scoring ability prompted the Pacers to focus their defensive strategies, yet Nembhard remained the immediate line of defense.
Throughout the game, Gilgeous-Alexander successfully faced off against multiple Pacers defenders, but in the crunch, Coach Rick Carlisle put his trust in Nembhard, a decision that proved vital.
As the contest closed, Nembhard was on hand without double-teaming. He faced off against SGA, who attempted to maneuver around him, yet Nembhard held his ground firmly against the contact.
Gilgeous-Alexander tried to spin off to the right and pull off a favored fadeaway shot, but Nembhard thwarted him again. The result was a missed opportunity for the Thunder superstar, allowing Pascal Siakam to rebound the ball.
This pivotal defensive stand allowed the Pacers time to set up their final offensive play. Haliburton showcased his clutch ability once again, sinking his fourth game-winning shot of the playoffs just as the clock wound down.
In stark contrast to Haliburton’s attention-grabbing moment, Nembhard remained humble and brief in his postgame interview, illustrating his unselfish approach to the game.
“I don’t know what the deficit was, but we felt like we just right there, honestly,” he shared, revealing his calm demeanor even amidst high-pressure moments.
His contributions stretched beyond defense. Nembhard had a personal scoring outburst of 14 points, including vital points in the closing quarter as the Indiana team surged back from a 15-point deficit.
He not only defended but effectively facilitated offensive plays, assisting Myles Turner with a timely three-pointer.
“Drew made big plays at both ends,” Carlisle noted, praising Nembhard’s multifaceted contributions.
Both teams exhibited high-caliber performances, with the Thunder entering the finals as the overwhelming favorites, driven by an extraordinary regular season boasting a 68-14 record.
Despite this, the Pacers entered the scene undeterred by the stakes, showing resilience even when the odds seemed weighed against them during the game’s early phases.
With the unmistakable atmosphere of Oklahoma City’s Paycom Center buzzing, the Pacers battled through initial struggles to find their rhythm against an intimidating Thunder defense.
Despite Gilgeous-Alexander’s impressive tally, he was often forced into taking challenging shots, and credit goes to Indiana for contesting his every move.
With the series only beginning, the Pacers are aware they will face significant challenges against the Thunder, a team with a history of greatness. However, they embraced the moment, revealing their playoff experience and a psychological edge as underdogs fighting against history.
As Game 1 concluded, Indiana has signaled they are not merely participants in the Finals but serious contenders ready to make their mark.
image source from：https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6407413/2025/06/06/andrew-nembhard-pacers-tyrese-haliburton-nba-finals/
