Indiana Pacers rookie Andrew Nembhard produced a double-double on Wednesday and helped make some history for his country in a win over the Toronto Raptors.
The contest was the first for Nembhard and fellow Canadian Bennedict Mathurin in Toronto this season. Nembhard, a native of Aurora, Ontario, and Mathurin, from Montreal, Quebec, each grew up watching the Raptors and had a little extra in the contest.
They each played a key role in the win, too.
Nembhard produced a team-high 25 points, 10 assists and two rebounds in the 118-114 victory, and Mathurin added 15 points. Nembhard registered his third double-double of the season and his second game with at least 25 points and 10 assists with the performance.
Pacers coach Rick Carlisle marveled at the effort by Nembhard.
To do it tonight in, essentially, his hometown — it was his first time back here. As a kid, he used to come to the games and sit in the third level. To be in the starting lineup and have this kind of game, it is just an amazing night for him and his family.
Along with Nembhard and Mathurin, Carlisle also opted to insert Toronto native Oshae Brissett into the starting lineup in the contest. It marked the first time three Canadians started on the same team in an NBA game.
The trio helped the Pacers get out to an early 13-point lead. Fittingly, Brissett scored the first points of the game as the Pacers snapped a 15-game regular-season losing streak in Toronto. He finished with nine points and six rebounds.
“It was an honor for me, Drew and Oshae to play in Canada for the first time,” Mathurin said. “I’ve had a lot of pretty good moments and I’m looking forward to having many more.”
Said Nembhard: “It means a little bit more this game for us three.”
Andrew Nembhard with a 🔥 NBA debut in Canada.
25 PTS
10 AST
2 REB pic.twitter.com/QAfONsSv8q— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) March 23, 2023
The two first-year players were understandably excited to play their first game in Toronto. But to join Brissett and make some history in the process was likely a moment they’ll never forget as Canada continues to make its presence felt in the sport.
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