“This is who Pascal Siakam is. He’s been a steady presence for us all year. So glad that he’s on our team. I think he could be the most underrated player in the NBA, to be honest with you,” said Tyrese Haliburton when giving praise to his teammate a few weeks ago. A team that goes from a 10-15 start to finishing at 50-32 is filled with success stories, and Pascal Siakam is certainly among them. As highlighted by IndyStar reporter Dustin Dopirak, the power forward has been the player “who has done something to make it right” when things seemed to be going wrong.

Both he and Andrew Nembhard made significant contributions during Game 1 of the Cavaliers-Pacers playoff series to deliver their team the win. Therefore, expectations are that they will do it again. However, to perform well in Game 2, the two players will have to first be all right on the injury front.

Is Pascal Siakam Playing Tonight?

According to the Indiana Pacers Injury Report, as highlighted by ESPN, Pascal Siakam’s name is nowhere to be found! This means that the power forward will be available and in a healthy condition when his team faces off against Kenny Atkinson’s squad at the Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse.

The last few months saw Pascal Siakam suffering from right olecranon bursitis. He was declared ‘Questionable’ for a game back in March due to it, but he still played. However, the situation of the ailment worsened by April, due to which Siakam was declared ‘OUT’ for a matchup against the Denver Nuggets, a matchup against the Orlando Magic, and then for another regular season game, that time against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Fortunately, all those troubles seem to be behind the player. For now.

Is Andrew Nembhard playing tonight?

Similarly to his teammate, Andrew Nembhard’s name is also absent from the Injury Report. Well, looks like the Cleveland Cavaliers better watch out then, unless they want to be defeated for a 2nd game in a row.

The shooting guard had to deal with his own injury issues over the last few months. Late January was spent by the player in an attempt to recover from his thoracic spine sprain. Later, he was ruled out of a matchup against the Orlando Magic due to a left thumb laceration. Knowing the issues that can come from both ailments, it is a relief that the player has recovered from both of them by this point.

The Indiana Pacers will have a strong offensive force backing the team during Game 2, which also includes Pascal Siakam and Andrew Nembhard. After all, if their past games are an indication, then both players know how to hold their own against Donovan Mitchell and co.

How have Pascal Siakam and Andrew Nembhard performed against the Cavaliers in the last 10 matchups?

Throughout his 9-year long NBA career, Pascal Siakam has faced the Cleveland Cavaliers a total of 28 times, with most of them taking place during his tenure with the Toronto Raptors. As for Andrew Nembhard, who has been with the Indiana Pacers since he was drafted back in 2022, has faced them 12 times. Throughout it all, the duo has shown themselves to be efficient scorers in each of the matchups, especially the last 10.

In the last 10 games against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Pascal Siakam has averaged 21.1 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 3.6 assists. On the shooting front, he has averaged 8.3-17.8 (46.6%) field goals, 1.8-4.2 (42.9%) 3-pointers, and 2.7-3.8 (71.1%) free throws. His efficiency against Donovan Mitchell and Co. was seen when the player made 23 points, 11 rebounds, and 4 steals in a 108–105 season opener win back in 2022. However, that wouldn’t be his best game, as Siakam had recorded 36 points during the first game of the year 2024.

Meanwhile, Andrew Nembhard has only averaged 9.9 points, 1.3 rebounds, and 5.4 assists in the last 10 games in which he faced the Cavaliers. Despite this, there are times when the player comes out on top. There is no recent example than the recent Game 1, as the player concluded his run by recording 23 points by shooting 7-10 (70.0%) field goals, 5-6 (83.3%) 3-pointers, and 4-4 (100.0%) free throws.

Do you believe that the combined prowess of Pascal Siakam and Andrew Nembhard will give the Cavs a tough challenge? Or will the team have learned from their mistakes and come better prepared for Game 2? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section down below.