The Indiana Pacers are enduring one of the most disappointing follow-ups to a Finals appearance in recent NBA history. After pushing the limits in the 2025 NBA Finals—only to lose Game 7 amid Tyrese Haliburton‘s devastating Achilles injury—Indiana has plummeted to a league-worst 6-27 record in the Eastern Conference, currently on a nine-game losing streak.
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But amid the gloom, there’s a sliver of good news: Aaron Nesmith is back.
The 6’6″ forward returned over the weekend after missing over a month with a left MCL sprain, his last game before the injury coming on November 13. Nesmith’s absence was felt deeply on a roster already decimated by injuries and inconsistency.
Nesmith’s Impact and Development
Acquired from the Boston Celtics in the summer of 2022, Nesmith has blossomed into one of the league’s premier 3-and-D wings in Indiana. Limited minutes in Boston gave way to a breakout role with the Pacers, culminating in a stellar 2025 playoff run:
12.7 points and 5.7 rebounds per game across 23 playoff games (all starts)49.2% from three-point range
This season (in 13 games, 11 starts), Nesmith is posting career highs:
14.4 points4.4 rebounds39.2% from three on 7.5 attempts per game
His two-way play—elite perimeter defense paired with reliable spacing—earned him a well-deserved two-year extension after the Finals run. At 26, he’s locked in as a core piece for Indiana’s long-term plans.
A Reset Season with Future Hope
The Pacers are clearly in reset mode this year. Haliburton’s injury fallout, combined with roster inconsistencies, has turned a Finals contender into a bottom-feeder. But Nesmith’s return offers a positive amid the struggles.
Indiana showed flashes of talent in recent games (including a competitive showing against the Celtics), and with a potential top pick in the loaded 2026 NBA Draft plus a healthy Haliburton next season, the Pacers could rebound quickly.
Nesmith’s development is a reminder of what this core can achieve when healthy. His shooting, defense, and toughness are building blocks for the future.
Looking Ahead
The Pacers have little to play for besides pride and development the rest of the way. But getting Nesmith back healthy—and building chemistry for 2026-27—could turn this lost season into a foundational one.
Indiana fans: It’s been a nightmare year, but pieces like Nesmith and a high draft pick offer real hope for a quick turnaround.