The Indiana Pacers are getting ready for their biggest challenge in decades: the NBA Finals. But while fans are pumped about the team’s unexpected run, one big question has been hanging in the air. Will Aaron Nesmith be ready?
His status was up in the air after suffering an ankle injury in the Eastern Conference Finals. Now, ahead of the NBA Finals matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Nesmith has finally broken his silence, and the Pacers fans love what he said.
Aaron Nesmith Confirms He’s Ready for Game 1 of the NBA Finals
Nesmith gave Pacers’ fans exactly what they were hoping for during media day at the NBA Finals – a positive update about his injury. After spraining his right ankle in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals, Nesmith played through pain in Games 4 and 5, clearly limited but still pushing through.
Speaking to reporters, he finally admitted just how much he needed the break. “I needed them. I was looking forward to these days off. I took them, and I’ll be ready,” Nesmith said.
Aaron Nesmith on his ankle and getting some days off before the Finals:
“I needed them. I was looking forward to these days off. I took them and I’ll be ready.” pic.twitter.com/eByQiLDcNP
— iPacers.com (@iPacersblog) June 4, 2025
That statement alone was enough to bring a sigh of relief for Indiana. Nesmith’s defense and 3-point shooting have been key to their playoff success. Despite being listed as questionable heading into the last two games of the East Finals, the 25-year-old played significant minutes and battled through discomfort.
Nesmith’s production has been nothing short of impressive. Over 16 playoff games, Nesmith is averaging 14.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game. Even more eye-popping, he’s shooting 50.3% from the floor and a blistering 50% from three-point range.
He played a massive role in Indiana’s comeback win over the New York Knicks in Game 1 of the conference finals, where he scored 30 points — a moment that helped swing momentum back to the Pacers.
With Indiana facing the top-seeded Thunder in the NBA Finals, having Nesmith healthy and ready is critical. His ankle seems to have healed just in time.
Nesmith Ready To Face Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Thunder
At media day, Nesmith also looked ahead to what’s next, and he knows the job isn’t about to get any easier. He will be matched up with the Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who has been on fire throughout the playoffs.
Talking to ClutchPoints reporter Tomer Azarly, Nesmith shared his mindset about guarding elite players, even comparing SGA to Knicks star Jalen Brunson.
“I just think it’s a want factor,” Nesmith said. “Taking pride in guarding your yard, watching film, getting better individually, and just sit down and be like, ‘they’re not gonna score on me…’ I think it’s a mindset. I’m not gonna be screened, I’m gonna fight through, and I’m gonna make his life very hard for these 48 minutes.”
Aaron Nesmith on how he approaches defense and his mindset:
“I just think it’s a want factor. Taking pride in guarding your yard, watching film, getting better individually, and just sit down and be like, ‘they’re not gonna score on me…’ I think it’s a mindset. I’m not gonna be… pic.twitter.com/OwviC6qwlg
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) June 4, 2025
That’s the kind of attitude Pacers fans love to hear. And they’ll need every bit of it. Both the Pacers and OKC are hungry for the ring. The Thunder are chasing their first title since the franchise moved from Seattle. Indiana, meanwhile, hasn’t won a championship since its ABA days in the early 1970s.
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The stakes couldn’t be higher. And now, with Nesmith back to full strength, the Pacers can head into the Finals at full power.
