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Indiana Pacers rookie Andrew Nembhard showing off sharp passing through two preseason games

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Indiana Pacers rookie Andrew Nembhard showing off sharp passing through two preseason games


Andrew Nembhard was supposed to come back in for a pre-draft exercise with the Indiana Pacers in late Might, however climate hurdles acquired in the way in which. As an alternative, the staff rescheduled the exercise for mid-June, and with simply eight days remaining earlier than the NBA Draft, the Gonzaga product made it to the Circle Metropolis. The Pacers wished to see him.

The exercise went effectively, and simply over one week later Nembhard was a Pacer. Indiana selected the 22-year previous guard with the thirty first total decide — the primary choice of the second spherical. They needed to sweat via the late picks within the first spherical to seize him, however all the pieces labored out because the blue and gold had hoped. They acquired one among their guys.

The Pacers are constructing a degree guard rotation that options a number of, taller creators. Tyrese Haliburton runs the present, and he is a six-foot-five-inch distributor. Andrew Nembhard is the backup of the longer term (although he is behind T.J. McConnell for now), and he too is a taller creator — the rookie is roughly the identical top as Haliburton.

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The dimensions of Nembhard permits him to see over defenders and hearth the ball into passing lanes that shorter guards cannot. It additionally permits him to skate into the lane and full passes in tight angles across the basket. His dimension is a bonus, and it is one which the Pacers like.

In summer time league, these expertise have been on show when Nembhard led the staff with 5.0 assists per recreation throughout 5 video games. He was the most effective playmaker for the blue and gold out in Vegas, which gives an important baseline for progress in NBA competitors.

Thus far, he is saved that up in preseason play. In two appearances in NBA exhibitions to this point, Nembhard has six assists — three in every recreation — in about 25 minutes of taking part in time. He is been discovering his teammates effectively.

“Nembhard was actual strong,” head coach Rick Carlisle stated after the Pacers beat the Hornets. The rookie guard completed with eight factors, two rebounds, three assists, and maybe most significantly, zero turnovers.

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This season, Nembhard seemingly will not be within the Pacers rotation too usually. He tasks to be behind Haliburton and the veteran McConnell within the pecking order at level guard, and he does not slot in naturally at every other place. Nembhard might spend most of this season creating, with the thought being that he could possibly be a rotation participant in 2023 or so. He did signal a 4 12 months contract this offseason.

Regardless that he will not play in high-leverage conditions, Nembhard can nonetheless develop this season in a gifted level guard room. He’ll get alternatives when there are accidents in addition to in rubbish time. These preseason video games supply the rookie an opportunity to play in opposition to among the NBA’s finest gamers — on Friday in New York, he obtained taking part in time within the second quarter and was guarding the gifted Jalen Bruson.

That evening, Nembhard completed with 5 factors, one rebound, and three assists. He additionally canned his first three-pointer of the preseason, which is a crucial ability to observe as he develops.

All issues thought of, it has been an excellent preseason to this point for the rookie. Thus far, all six of his assists have come after he dribbled the ball and manipulated the protection, which is an indication of his talents directing visitors as a degree guard.

“I assumed Nembhard performed effectively within the fourth quarter,” Carlisle stated on Wednesday after the Pacers beat the Hornets.

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Nembhard has struggled on the defensive facet of the ball, as rookies do. And he is 6/15 from the sector throughout the 2 exhibitions. It hasn’t all been rainbows for the Gonzaga product to this point, and there is loads of growth that also must occur.

However via two video games, Nembhard has excelled on the expertise that he has been praised for main as much as the marketing campaign. The Pacers will hope his passing continues to develop, after which different expertise proper together with it.


  • The newest on a possible Pacers and Lakers commerce involving Russell Westbrook. CLICK HERE.
  • Victor Wembanyama vs Scoot Henderson gives a glimpse into the longer term for constructing groups just like the Indiana Pacers. CLICK HERE.
  • Malcolm Brogdon commerce voted one of many offseason’s most shocking strikes. CLICK HERE.
  • Tyrese Haliburton shined for the Indiana Pacers vs New York Knicks in Madison Sq. Backyard on Friday evening. CLICK HERE.
  • Observe on Twitter: @TEastNBA





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Indiana Fever coach Stephanie White with the latest on Caitlin Clark’s injury

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Indiana Fever coach Stephanie White with the latest on Caitlin Clark’s injury


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  • Caitlin Clark injured her right groin, her fourth muscle injury of the season
  • Caitlin Clark missed her 11th game of the season on Wednesday

NEW YORK — Caitlin Clark will miss her 11th game of the season on Wednesday night, continuing a frustrating season for the Indiana Fever star.

Clark suffered a right groin injury, her fourth separate muscle injury of the season, on Tuesday night against Connecticut in Boston. She grabbed at her groin area with about 30 seconds left in the game, then was visibly emotional as she left the game, putting a towel over her head.

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“The most important thing for me was just making sure that she was okay,” coach Stephanie White said. “You know, anybody who’s been injured, as most of us have right now, being injured and continuing to have setbacks is frustrating, mentally, emotionally, and oftentimes, being injured is isolating. So you know, from my standpoint, the primary conversations that we’ve had last night and today are just checking in. ‘Are you good? How can we help?’”

Clark was originally listed as questionable in the 1 p.m. injury report, then downgraded to out around 5 p.m. White said the downgrade was in response to imaging Clark was able to get on her groin on Wednesday afternoon in New York.

Re-live Caitlin Clark’s rookie season with our book

Still, White is optimistic about Clark’s health, considering her day-to-day.

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“I consider it good news, just because, for me, if it’s anything that we’re talking about day-to-day, it’s always good news for me,” White said.

This is the first season Clark has had trouble with injuries, going her entire college career and rookie season without missing a game. She had left quad tightness that kept her out of the preseason opener, then suffered a quad strain in May that kept her out five games. Soon after returning from the quad strain, she had a left groin injury that kept her out another five. Now, she has a right groin injury.

While Clark hasn’t necessarily re-aggravated any of her injuries this season, being injured in the first place can lead to other, similar injuries because of overcompensation on muscles to make up for the injured one.

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“I’m not really sure that it’s a re-injury as much as a different kind of injury,” White said. “I know oftentimes, when you’re working with injuries in the groin and the quad and the hamstring and all of those things, they’re all kind of tied together. And it’s not always just one thing, you know. So I think, yes, absolutely, the big picture is the most important her for her health and wellness long-term.”

White said that she and Clark haven’t talked about her status past Wednesday’s game. The Fever don’t necessarily have a stake in what Clark, who was planning to be a large part of the weekend in Indianapolis, will do. They can make recommendations on if they would like her to participate or not, but it will ultimately be up to Clark and her representatives in how much she will participate in the 3-point contest and All-Star Game, among other appearances.

“Caitlin and her team will make decisions when it comes to All-Star,” White said. “You know, for me, it’s a big deal for us to have All-Star in Indianapolis. And of course, with Caitlin being a focal point of all of that. As the coach of the Indiana Fever, it’s not a bigger deal than our long term season, but it’s also part of the fun. So those are conversations that Caitlin will have with her group. I probably won’t be a part of those, but we’re gonna support her no matter what.”

Chloe Peterson is the Indiana Fever beat reporter for IndyStar. Reach her at capeterson@gannett.com or follow her on X at @chloepeterson67.

Get IndyStar’s Indiana Fever and Caitlin Clark coverage sent directly to your inbox with our Caitlin Clark Fever newsletter.

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Fever need to dig deep to beat last-place Sun, then suffer apparent Caitlin Clark injury setback

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Fever need to dig deep to beat last-place Sun, then suffer apparent Caitlin Clark injury setback


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BOSTON — The Indiana Fever recorded an 85-77 win over Connecticut at TD Garden on Tuesday night, but concerns swirled for Fever star Caitlin Clark’s health after she left the game late.

Indiana moved to 12-10 with the win, and play in less than 24 hours against New York in Brooklyn on Wednesday night.

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Here are three observations:

Caitlin Clark winces, holds back tears as she leaves game

Caitlin Clark left Indiana’s game late in the fourth quarter after wincing and grabbing the top of her right leg.

With 39 seconds left in the fourth quarter, Clark checked out of the game after an assist to Kelsey Mitchell. She went to turn around on defense and grabbed near her groin on her right leg.

Clark has already had a groin injury this season, but that was on her left leg. She also had a left quad injury, and those two injuries kept her out for 10 total games so far this season.

Clark seemed to be tearing up on the sideline in the final seconds of the game, and she sat on the bench with a towel over her head as the Fever closed out the win.

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“No update, just felt a little something in her groin, so we’ll get it evaluated and see what happens from there,” Fever coach Stephanie White said postgame.

Indiana allows Connecticut to stay close entire game

Indiana came into the game at 11-10, and Connecticut was 3-18. On paper, it seemed like Indiana should come away with an easy win.

But things aren’t as easy as they look. Especially when one of Connecticut’s three wins coming into the game was against Indiana.

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Indiana could never create space against Connecticut on Tuesday night, no matter how much the Fever scored. The Fever scored 29 points in the first quarter, but only led by one as they allowed 28 to the Sun. At halftime and at the end of the third quarter, the lead was just two.

The Fever allowed 12 offensive rebounds and turned the ball over 12 times, giving Connecticut multiple extra possessions. Indiana still won the game at the end of the day, but it was much more difficult than it should’ve been.

Fan wearing Fever jersey gets ejected

A fan wearing a No. 22 Indiana Fever t-shirt jersey was ejected from his courtside seat in the second quarter.

It happened after a timeout, when Sun guard Saniya Rivers went to the sideline where the fan was sitting to inbound the ball. Rivers then stepped away from the sideline, having a passionate conversation with two referees.

Security eventually identified the fan, who was escorted out of his seat and taken up through the lower-level seats to the concourse. Other fans booed and waved goodbye as he left with a security escort.

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It’s not clear what the fan said or did to Rivers for him to get ejected.

Chloe Peterson is the Indiana Fever beat reporter for IndyStar. Reach her at capeterson@gannett.com or follow her on X at @chloepeterson67. Get IndyStar’s Indiana Fever and Caitlin Clark coverage sent directly to your inbox with our Caitlin Clark Fever newsletter.



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Indiana outfielder makes program history with high MLB Draft selection | Sporting News

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Indiana outfielder makes program history with high MLB Draft selection | Sporting News


The Indiana Hoosiers are officially on the board in the 2025 MLB Draft — and it’s one of the biggest stars in program history who heard his name called. 

Outfielder Devin Taylor was selected by the Oakland Athletics with the No. 48 overall pick in the second round late Sunday night. He became the highest-drafted outfielder in program history and the top selection of the Jeff Mercer era, which began in 2019.

Over the past few months, Taylor had shown up across a wide range of mock drafts. Some projected him as a potential mid-to-late first-rounder, but he slipped a bit on draft night before finally landing with the A’s at 48.

His college career was nothing short of impressive. 

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Taylor was a unanimous All-American in 2025 and picked up eight total All-American honors during his three seasons in Bloomington. He was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Year in 2023 — one of just four in program history — and helped lead Indiana to 108 wins, three Big Ten Tournament appearances, and two NCAA Tournament berths.

But Taylor didn’t just produce — he stood out. 

Taylor put together one of the best offensive seasons in the country in 2025, hitting .374 with 18 home runs and nearly twice as many walks as strikeouts. That kind of plate discipline is tough to teach — and it stood out to scouts all spring. With quick hands, raw power, and a mature approach in the box, he became one of the more talked-about hitters in this year’s draft class.

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His selection gives Indiana another strong presence in the early rounds and adds to the growing list of players who’ve gone pro under head coach Jeff Mercer. Taylor was one of the most reliable bats in college baseball over the last few seasons and kept improving each year.

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Scouts are drawn to his clean left-handed swing and ability to stay within himself at the plate. He’s shown he can hit for both average and power, and he doesn’t chase much — all signs that point to a player who could carve out a long-term role as an everyday outfielder.

For the A’s, he fills a real need. Only two outfielders currently rank among their top 10 prospects, so bringing in a polished college bat like Taylor adds immediate depth to the system and fits the timeline of a team still working through its rebuild.

For Oakland, it’s another advanced college bat with upside. And for Indiana, Taylor’s rise is another example of a program continuing to develop high-level talent and stay nationally relevant.



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