Pacers' Nembhard out 2 weeks; Nesmith unavailable until December
The Indiana Pacers announced Sunday that point guard Andrew Nembhard will miss the next two weeks with a sore knee, and wing Aaron Nesmith won't be back until at least December due to an ankle sprain.
Nembhard's sore knee has been a recurring issue, keeping him out of two of the last four Pacers games.
The Canadian signed a three-year, $59-million extension with the club over the summer. Nembhard's averaging 7.3 points and 4.7 assists while shooting 38.5% from the field this season.
Nesmith has missed three consecutive contests since suffering an ankle sprain in the Pacers' loss to the New Orleans Pelicans last week. The 25-year-old is averaging 9.2 points and shooting 54.5% from deep.
Indiana inserted third-year guard Bennedict Mathurin into the starting lineup the previous four games to cover the absences of Nembhard and Nesmith.
"There's a great opportunity here for our younger guys to step up," head coach Rick Carlisle told Pacers sideline reporter Jeremiah Johnson Sunday.
The Pacers have already lost centers James Wiseman and Isaiah Jackson for the season, with both tearing their Achilles tendons. Indiana also ruled out forward Obi Toppin from Sunday's clash against the New York Knicks due to an ankle injury.
The 4-5 Pacers sit fifth in the Eastern Conference.