After missing Wednesday's game, Andrew Nembhard (thoracic spine sprain) and Bennedict Mathurin (illness) returned to Pacers practice Friday.

Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard is questionable for Wednesday's game against the Pistons with a thoracic spine sprain.

The NBA trade deadline is less than a week away, and there is more to follow than just flashy names. Let’s open up the notebook to run through three under-the-radar deadline narratives that have caught my eye with Feb. 6 approaching: Andrew Nembhard appears ripe for the picking, but don’t judge an NBA team’s books by its cover.

Head coach Rick Carlisle said that Nembhard (back) wasn't limited during Friday's practice and is trending toward playing in Saturday's matchup versus the Hawks, Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star reports.

Andrew Nembhard played a significant role in the 2024 playoffs, specifically the Eastern Conference Finals. However, the 2024-25 season hasn't matched the glory of the surging role player's efforts. Instead, physical ailments cost the Pacers one of their best secret weapons for 15 games.

Atlanta enters the matchup against Indiana after losing seven straight games. The teams square off Saturday for the first time this season.

Isaiah Stewart randomly threw a hard forearm into Thomas Bryant's chest that sent him crashing down to the court on Wednesday night. On this installment of The Kevin O'Connor Show, New York Knicks superfan and Yahoo's own Ariel Helwani stops by to demand RESPECT for his squad!

Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard discusses his return from a back injury, Pascal Siakam's All-Star nod, full-court pressure defense and more.

Ahead of their game with the Hawks on Saturday, Rick Carlisle gave a positive update about Nembhard's availability. Carlisle said neither Nembhard nor Mathurin were limited today. Said Nembhard seems to be trending toward playing tomorrow. Mathurin had a stomach ailment and is a lot better.

However, Katz hears that the Pacers view Nembhard as part of their future and plan to hold onto him even if it means going into luxury tax territory for the first time in 20 years. Sources tell Katz that teams have inquired about Nembhard’s availability, but haven’t been able to make any progress in trade talks.

Disappointing after Feb. 6 — whether because they dive down the standings or lose early in the playoffs — could affect the Pacers’ approach to the 2025-26 tax. If they want to avoid it, for