Indiana Pacers point guard Andrew Nembhard injured his shoulder in the first half of Thursday night’s 141-136 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder and was ruled out to start the second half, according to Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star.
“Andrew Nembhard (sore left shoulder) will not return to tonight’s game against the Thunder,” Dopirak tweeted.
NBA Rumors and News: Andrew Nembhard, Nique Clifford, Michael Malone,
Nembhard suffered the injury as he got his arm caught under Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s arm as he was driving into the lane. Nembhard, who has taken over lead guard duties for the injured Tyrese Haliburton, finished the game with four points, four assists, and two turnovers. While the 25-year-old missed all five of his shots from the field, including both of his 3-pointers, he was 4 of 4 from the charity stripe.
The seriousness of Nembhard’s injury is unknown, but he did return to the Pacers bench in his warmups. So, that has to be promising news. If Nembhard has to miss any time, Ben Sheppard will likely run the point. Sheppard started in place of Nembhard in the second half and totaled 15 points, eight rebounds, and four assists in 39 minutes before fouling out.
Taelon Peter would then move up the depth chart to backup point guard. RayJ Dennis didn’t play against the Thunder, though he would presumably move up the depth chart as well.
Nembhard is the fifth Pacers guard to miss time already. Besides Haliburton, T.J. McConnell, Kam Jones, and Quenton Jackson also started the campaign on the injured list.
OKC Injuries
OKC didn’t enter the game unscathed. Jalen Williams (wrist) missed his second straight season and still does not have a timetable to return. Joining Williams, Nikola Topic, Kenrich Williams, and Thomas Sorber on the sidelines for last night’s game were Alex Caruso, Isaiah Joe, and Carson Wallace.
Joe is still recovering from a knee injury he suffered in the preseason and missed his second consecutive game. Caruso is in the NBA’s concussion protocol, and there is no timetable for his return as he must pass several steps. Caruso played 30 minutes in OKC’s opening night win over Houston. Meanwhile, Wallace sat out the game due to a knee injury, and his status for Saturday’s game against Atlanta is unknown.
SGA and Domantas Sabonis
OKC is the first team in NBA history to go into double overtime in its first two games of a new campaign. The Thunder has scored 266 points in the first two games, including a 126-125 win over Houston in the season opener.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander poured in a career-best 55 points tonight as he knocked down 15 of 31 shots from the field and 23 of 26 from the free-throw line. SGA added eight rebounds, five assists, two steals, and one block in 45 minutes. He has put up 90 points through the first two games. In addition, as Michael Grange of Sportsnet pointed out, the 55 points tie Jamal Murray for the most points by a Canadian.
Sacramento Kings center Domantas Sabonis could make his season debut tomorrow against Utah in the team’s home season opener, as he has been upgraded to questionable, per ESPN’s Anthony Slater. Sabonis missed the Kings’ 120-116 loss to Phoenix on Wednesday. Also, without Keegan Murray versus the Suns, Drew Eubanks and Nique Clifford picked up starts. Eubanks, who recorded four blocks in 21 minutes, figures to start again if Sabonis can’t go.
Even if Sabonis can play, Eubanks could start as Clifford will miss at least a week with a right hamstring strain, per Brenden Nunes of Sactown 1140. Clifford, the No. 24 pick in 2025, tallied two points, eight boards, two assists, one steal, and two blocks over 24 minutes in his debut. Keon Ellis, Malik Monk, and Russell Westbrook are also candidates to start alongside Dennis Schroder in the Kings’ backcourt.
Other NBA News
- Slater also reported that Golden State is hopeful that Moses Moody will make his season debut against Portland on Friday after missing the first two games. Moody is dealing with a calf injury. While Slater added that Al Horford won’t play against the Trail Blazers due to rest, it has already been said that Horford will not play back-to-backs.
“Warriors are hopeful Moses Moody will make his season debut in Portland tomorrow night, Slater tweeted. “Al Horford is the only veteran currently expected to rest vs Blazers on the second side of a back-to-back, per Steve Kerr. Plan is for Jimmy Butler, Stephen Curry, Draymond [Green] to play.”
- Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon tied a career high with seven first-half threes against Golden State on Thursday night. Gordon set a career mark with his eighth triple in the third quarter. He also set a career-high with 42 points in the fourth quarter, connecting 14 of 18 shots including 9 of 10 from deep with under four minutes left to play.
- NBA champion Michael Malone, unceremoniously dismissed by the Denver Nuggets before the playoffs last year, said on ESPN Inside The NBA the previous night that he was definitely not done coaching.
- Memphis’ Ja Morant, who scored 35 points in the season opener, is questionable for Friday’s game against Miami due to left ankle soreness. Meanwhile, the Heat have ruled out Tyler Herro and Kasparas Jakucionis again.
© Kyle Terada, Imagn Iamges
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