The Unsolvable Riddle: Andrew Nembhard’s Impossible Decision in Tyrese Haliburton’s Absence

 

The Indiana Pacers, a team that electrified the basketball world with a stunning run to the 2025 NBA Finals, now face a future shrouded in uncertainty. The reason is a gut-wrenching Achilles tear suffered by franchise cornerstone Tyrese Haliburton in Game 7. With Haliburton ruled out for the entire 2025-26 season, the Pacers are left with an impossible decision: how to maximize the talents of Andrew Nembhard, a player who has proven his worth as a high-level role player, but who now faces the daunting task of being the team’s primary ball-handler.

The dilemma for the Pacers is not a lack of trust in Nembhard; it’s quite the opposite. The team signed him to a three-year, $59 million contract extension after his heroic performance in the 2024 playoffs, a reward for his growth into a crucial “two-way” player. Nembhard’s value has always been his ability to be a stout, tenacious defender while also providing timely secondary playmaking and scoring. His game is built on complementary skills, not on being the focal point of an offense.

With Haliburton sidelined, the Pacers are now forced to ask Nembhard to be a different kind of player. He will be the starting point guard, responsible for running the offense, creating for others, and shouldering a much heavier scoring load. This is a role that runs counter to his established strengths. While he has shown flashes of brilliance as a lead guard, most notably in the 2024 Eastern Conference Finals when he dropped 56 points on efficient shooting splits in two games without Haliburton, his regular-season stats tell a different story. In his career, Nembhard has averaged around 10 points and 5 assists per game, solid numbers for a backup or a starting guard next to a primary creator, but far from the “All-Star level” production the Pacers now need from him.

This is where the impossible decision comes in. The Pacers must decide how to balance Nembhard’s new offensive responsibilities with his proven defensive prowess. The fear is that with an increased offensive load, his defense will suffer. As one pundit put it, “it would not be a surprise to see the Gonzaga alum’s defense slip a bit” in order to preserve his energy for the offensive end. The Pacers’ defense was already a liability last season, and losing Nembhard’s defensive intensity would be a major blow to a team that is also without center Myles Turner, who signed with the Milwaukee Bucks in the offseason.

The ripple effect of this decision extends to the entire roster. With Haliburton out and Nembhard taking on a new role, the team will have to find a new identity. The free-flowing, fast-paced, improvisational offense that Haliburton ran will likely give way to a slower, more traditional offense with set plays in the half-court. This could be a good thing, as it might add a new dynamic to the team’s offense for when Haliburton eventually returns. However, it also means that other players, like Bennedict Mathurin, will need to step up and fill the void.

While the loss of Haliburton is a major blow, the Pacers are not expected to tank. They still have a talented roster that includes All-Star Pascal Siakam and rising star Mathurin. The goal is to remain competitive and make some noise in a wide-open Eastern Conference. To do this, Nembhard’s performance will be paramount. He is no longer just a complementary piece; he is the most important player on the team.

The Pacers’ front office, led by general manager Chad Buchanan, is in a difficult position. They have a valuable asset in Nembhard, but they must now determine if he can be more than he has been. The upcoming season will be a test not only for Nembhard but for the entire organization. It’s a risk, but it’s one they have to take. There is no easy answer, no magic formula, for replacing a player like Tyrese Haliburton. The Pacers can only hope that Nembhard’s talent and competitive spirit will be enough to navigate this impossible situation.