In a 2022 NBA clash, the Indiana Pacers walked away with a solid 112-104 win over the Golden State Warriors. By winning at the Chase Center, the Pacers ended a dominant stretch where the Warriors had won ten straight games on their own court. Indiana faced an uphill battle as they were without their core duo, Tyrese Haliburton and Myles Turner, for the fourth straight away game. The Warriors, conversely, were only missing Andrew Wiggins, who looked out of sorts during the matchup.
Indiana Pacers registered a comprehensive 112-104 win over Golden State Warriors in NBA 2022. Indiana Pacers came into the Chase Center to snap the Golden State Warrior’s 10-game winning streak on their home floor. The Pacers missed their two best players, Tyrese Haliburton and Myles Turner for the fourth straight game on the road. On the other side, the Warriors were only missing Andrew Wiggins, that looked sluggish.
Golden State missed a golden opportunity to keep their home winning streak alive, falling to a Pacers squad that wasn't even firing on all cylinders. The Warriors' centerpiece, Stephen Curry, had an unusually quiet night despite logging 38 minutes of action. This opened the door for rookie Andrew Nembhard to seize the spotlight, leading the charge as Indiana dismantled the champions in their own arena.
The star of the evening was undoubtedly Andrew Nembhard, the Canadian point guard selected in the second round this past June. Taking over the primary playmaking duties for Haliburton, Nembhard put up an elite stat line: 31 points, 13 assists, and 8 rebounds, along with five triples. His efficiency was remarkable, hitting 13 of his 21 shots (62%), and he managed this feat despite the absence of the Pacers' top stars, Haliburton and Turner.
Nembhard and his teammates also played a key role in stifling Curry, forcing him into his worst shooting night of the year. Curry struggled immensely, going just 3-for-17 as Indiana relentlessly hit him with double teams. This defensive intensity was a surprising turnaround for a Pacers team that had recently struggled defensively, ranking 20th in the league after giving up nearly 140 points in back-to-back games against Sacramento and Utah.
It's becoming clear that Nembhard is one of the biggest steals of the NBA draft. The 22-year-old Canadian just etched his name into league history; by recording at least 30 points, 8 rebounds, and 10 assists with five three-pointers, he joined an exclusive group of rookies that includes legends like Steph Curry, Jason Kidd, and Trae Young.
Furthermore, Nembhard is the first Pacers rookie since Jamaal Tinsley in May 2002 to record a game with over 30 points and 10 assists. His rise has been noticed by the coaching staff, with Rick Carlisle recently suggesting that Nembhard's talent deserved a top-15 pick. With Nembhard, Haliburton, and Bennedict Mathurin all performing well, the Pacers now possess an impressive wealth of young talent at the guard position.