The SGA Stopper: Just How Good Has Andrew Nembhard Been in the NBA Finals?

As the 2025 NBA Finals have unfolded with edge-of-your-seat tension, dramatic swings, and high-profile stars jostling for legacy-defining moments, one name has stealthily crept into the spotlight—not with gaudy numbers or highlight-reel dunks, but with smothering defense, perfectly timed buckets, and an uncanny ability to rise to the moment: Andrew Nembhard.

No, he’s not an All-Star. He’s not even Indiana’s top three scoring option. But with the Pacers forcing a Game 7 after a commanding 108–91 win in Game 6, it’s impossible to ignore the fingerprints Nembhard has left all over this Finals series. His defensive mastery, particularly against MVP finalist Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, is drawing league-wide respect. And in Game 6, under the pressure of elimination, Nembhard delivered his best performance yet—erasing memories of his Game 5 blunders and solidifying his status as one of this postseason’s breakout stars.

Game 6: A Complete Redemption Arc

Let’s start with what he did under the brightest of lights. In 31 minutes, Nembhard put up 17 points, 4 assists, and 3 steals while shooting 5-of-7 from the field, 3-of-5 from deep, and 4-of-4 from the line. His true shooting percentage? An outrageous 97%. He committed just one turnover and posted a game-best +19 in plus-minus.

Statistically impressive, yes—but the context is what makes this performance shine:

• First Quarter Momentum Swing: With the Thunder jumping out to a 10–2 lead, Nembhard drilled two threes and converted a layup during a 24–7 Pacers run that gave them the lead for good. He also stripped SGA twice early—an immediate tone-setter.

• Third Quarter Resilience: When OKC cut a 27-point lead down to 18, threatening to flip the game’s energy, Nembhard calmly buried another three to bump the lead back to 21. He scored all 7 of Indiana’s points during a four-minute stretch that reestablished control.

• Defensive Excellence: Matched up with Gilgeous-Alexander throughout the night, Nembhard held him to 4-of-10 shooting and just 9 points while forcing 4 turnovers. No other defender this postseason has consistently put SGA in a straitjacket quite like Nembhard.

This wasn’t just a bounce-back—it was a declaration.

From “Game 5 Goat” to Game 6 Hero

After his error-filled Game 5 performance—3-of-8 shooting, 4 turnovers, and multiple fourth-quarter mistakes in a tight loss—many wondered if Nembhard had hit his wall. But his response was emblematic of who he’s been all playoffs: resilient, composed, unshaken.

Entering the Finals, Nembhard had already played well above expectations, but Game 6 was his first true “signature” performance in this series. He outscored both of Indiana’s stars—Pascal Siakam and Tyrese Haliburton—and led the team in efficiency and net impact.

That’s not just stepping up. That’s elevating the standard.

The Defensive Resume: A Murderers' Row of Stars

Nembhard hasn’t merely been a complementary defender—he’s been the primary disruptor on some of the league’s best guards. His four-round playoff journey has seen him neutralize elite talent at every step:

• First Round vs. Damian Lillard: Before Dame’s injury, Nembhard hounded him over 94 possessions. The result? 13 field goal attempts, just 3 makes, 10 points. A complete smothering.

• Second Round vs. Donovan Mitchell: Nembhard was even more suffocating against Spida. Across 173 possessions, Mitchell shot just 10-of-43 and scored 27 points. Nembhard's quick hands and discipline took away Mitchell’s preferred driving lanes and forced him into contested, low-efficiency looks.

• Eastern Conference Finals vs. Jalen Brunson: While Brunson still got his numbers overall, his production when guarded by Nembhard dipped significantly. In 95 matchups, he went 13-of-34, scored 33 points, and turned the ball over six times. Nembhard’s foot speed and anticipation gave Brunson fits.

• Finals vs. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: This is where things get truly elite. Through six games, Nembhard has matched up with SGA for 267 possessions. Shai is shooting just 21-of-51 in those matchups (41.2%), 2-of-9 from three, with 12 turnovers. That’s against one of the most unguardable players in the world.

Let’s say it plainly: no one has guarded SGA like this all season—not Jrue Holiday, not Lu Dort, not Alex Caruso. Nembhard has been the SGA solution.

Offensive Growth Under the Radar

What’s elevated Nembhard’s value from “nice defensive piece” to “two-way difference-maker” is his postseason growth on offense. Consider the contrast:

• Regular Season: 10.0 PPG, 5.0 APG, 29.1% from three, 54.5 TS%

• Eastern Conference Playoffs: 12.8 PPG, 5.1 APG, 48.8% from three, 59.0 TS%

He’s not just a caretaker. He’s become a confident initiator who punishes defenses sagging off him. His catch-and-shoot threes are falling. He’s reading defenses quicker, turning the corner harder, and hitting timely mid-range shots.

Game 6 was the pinnacle, but it was built on weeks of steady growth.

Composure Beyond His Years

Nembhard is only 25, playing in his third NBA season. But time and again, he’s proven to be one of Indiana’s most mentally tough players. His poise in clutch minutes—especially coming off tough games—sets him apart from many veterans.

Even in games where his stat line doesn’t pop, he’s making the right rotations, throwing sharp entry passes, and keeping the tempo where Indiana wants it. And when the moment demands more—like in Game 6—he shows he has more to give.

X-Factor for Game 7

With the Finals heading to a winner-takes-all Game 7, the spotlight naturally centers on Haliburton, SGA, Siakam, and Chet Holmgren. But if Indiana hoists the trophy, don't be surprised if Nembhard’s fingerprints are once again all over the decisive moments.

He’s already shown he can tilt a game with his defense. He’s proven he can hit big-time threes. And his Game 6 performance suggests he won’t shrink from the pressure—he’ll rise to meet it.

When you lock down Lillard, Mitchell, Brunson, and SGA in four consecutive series, you’re not just a role player anymore. You’re a problem—for opposing stars, for scouting departments, and for the narrative gatekeepers who didn’t see this coming.

Andrew Nembhard isn’t a household name—yet. But win or lose in Game 7, he’s already had a Finals performance worth remembering. The SGA stopper, the silent assassin, the moment-maker—he’s becoming all of it, right in front of our eyes.