Aaron Nesmith (ankle) starts for Pacers in Game 4 vs. Knicks
Indiana Pacers forward Aaron Nesmith started Game 4 against the New York Knicks on Tuesday night after sustaining a right ankle sprain in Game 3.
Nesmith was upgraded from questionable to available on the NBA’s injury report shortly before tipoff.
Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said Nesmith is doing better than expected, but he’ll still monitor him during the game.
Carlisle said Nesmith will have no restrictions “as of now, but I always watch everybody’s minutes. So it’ll be something that in real time we’ll have to gauge.”
Nesmith had to be helped off the court as he exited Sunday’s 106-100 loss to the Knicks, but he returned with 7:03 left in the fourth quarter and finished the game.
Nesmith walked through the locker room after the game Sunday night with a noticeable limp.
Nesmith has started all 14 games for the Pacers this postseason, averaging 15.1 points and 6.2 rebounds on 52% shooting (54% from 3). Nesmith tied an NBA playoffs record with six 3s in the fourth quarter of Game 1 in the series, helping lead an improbable Indiana comeback win in overtime. He has also been the team’s primary defender on Knicks guard Jalen Brunson.
ESPN’s Jamal Collier contributed to this report.
