Quick Read
- Andrew Nembhard returned to play for the Indiana Pacers on March 4, 2026, after back and neck injuries.
- The Pacers lost 130-107 to the LA Clippers at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.
- Nembhard and Aaron Nesmith combined for 2-of-13 shooting from the floor in their return.
- Kawhi Leonard led the Clippers with 29 points, while Pascal Siakam scored 29 for the Pacers.
- The loss extended the Pacers’ losing streak to seven consecutive games.
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (Azat TV) – Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard made his return to action on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, after an absence due to back and neck injuries, as the Pacers fell to the Los Angeles Clippers 130-107 at the Intuit Dome. Nembhard’s comeback, while anticipated, was marked by a challenging performance on a night where his team extended its losing streak to seven consecutive games.
Nembhard, who had been sidelined with what was described as back and neck issues, played in the game but struggled to find his rhythm. He and teammate Aaron Nesmith, who also returned from an ankle injury, combined for a disappointing 2-of-13 shooting from the floor. One notable moment captured during the game by The Sporting Tribune‘s Edwin So showed Nembhard passing the ball after slipping on the court, illustrating some of the difficulties he faced in his first game back.
The Pacers, already in a significant slump, were unable to contain a dominant Clippers offense led by Kawhi Leonard, who scored 29 points. Bennedict Mathurin, formerly of the Pacers, added 23 points for Los Angeles, contributing to a substantial lead that the Clippers held for most of the game. Los Angeles improved to 24-10 since December 20, while Indiana’s struggles deepened, now standing at 2-11 since February 2. The Pacers have also allowed at least 125 points in each of their last six games, a concerning defensive trend.
Despite Pascal Siakam’s 29 points for Indiana in his return from a wrist injury, and contributions from Jay Huff with 18 points and Jarace Walker with 17, the Pacers could not overcome the Clippers’ strong performance. The Clippers led 42-35 after the first quarter and maintained a comfortable 63-51 advantage at halftime, ultimately extending their lead to 102-77 by the end of the third quarter. The victory marked the Clippers’ third consecutive win, further contrasting with Indiana’s ongoing difficulties.
The game also saw some player movement implications, with Mathurin and Isaiah Jackson having been traded to Los Angeles on February 5, while Indiana acquired Kobe Brown and Ivica Zubac. Zubac, however, has yet to debut for the Pacers due to an ankle injury. The Clippers also sustained an injury during the game, with rookie Yanic Konan Niederhauser exiting in the second quarter due to a right foot injury.
Andrew Nembhard’s return from injury, while a step forward for the player, underscores the broader challenges facing the Indiana Pacers, as individual recovery efforts contend with a team-wide struggle for consistent performance and victories.