In an episode of Club 520 Podcast Earlier this summer, Golden State Warriors star forward Draymond Green praised Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard, recalling great duels between Nembhard and the Warriors.
In 2022, Nembhard – then a rookie – had his best game to date on the road against Golden State. He scored 31 points and 13 assists in a win over the Warriors, making 13 of 21 shots that night. To this day, this remains Nembhard’s best performance in a regular season game.
Green recalled that the Pacers’ ball handler gave his team hell that night. He also remembered Nembhard’s behavior during the game. “He talked so crazy,” Green said. The former All-Star forward noted that Nembhard’s shooting technique drew a reaction from two-time MVP Steph Curry.
That woke something up in Curry. He remembers that night, Green said. “Every time that guy sees you now…when he sees you, he’s after you now,” the Warriors forward said of Curry’s thoughts on Nembhard.
Nine days after Indiana’s rookie had a great performance in Golden State, the Warriors visited Indianapolis. Curry scored 15 points in the first quarter and 38 overall – although the Pacers won that game by six points.
Curry, a 10-time All-Star who just won his first gold medal, has continued his dominance against Indiana since then. When the Warriors and Pacers played in the Bay Area last season, Curry had 25 points and 12 rebounds. When the two teams faced off in Indianapolis, the superstar guard scored 42 points, including 18 in the first quarter.
“Blame Nembhard. You’re going to have a hard time with us,” said Green. “I don’t really know how to solve the problem.”
Green praised Indiana’s young guard, whose contract was extended earlier in the offseason. “I love Nembhard’s game… aggressive,” he said. The full podcast episode, which also includes comments from former Pacers guard Jeff Teague, can be found here.
The Warriors star also spoke this summer about his preference for veteran Indiana forward James Johnson.
