Andrew Nembhard could return to court soon for Indiana Pacers

The Pacers second-year guard has yet to play in the preseason

Indiana Pacers second-year guard Andrew Nembhard has been out for a little over a week after having kidney stones removed earlier in the preseason. Head coach Rick Carlisle shared that Nembhard would be out on October 7.

Since then, the young ball handler has been around the team but not 100% involved in practices. He has been slowly rampling up his activity level in recent days but did not participate in Indiana's FanJam scrimmage or their preseason game on Monday.

He could be back soon, though. Carlisle had more details earlier today.

"Nembhard is doing better. Better each day," Carlisle said. The young guard participated in the team's prep work ahead of their battle with the Atlanta Hawks on Monday, but he did not play that night.

When Nembhard was healthy, he was doing more on-ball work with the blue and gold. Some have mentioned that he's been a floor general type with the second unit. He hasn't played in any of Indiana's first three preseason games.

He is expected to ramp up this week, though, and he could get some playing time in the team's final exhibition game. "The hope is that tomorrow, he gets back into full practice mode. I believe there's a good chance of that," Carlisle said on Monday. "He's been doing some contact work."

The head coach added that Nembhard has been doing some one-on-one and two-on-two work, and the hope is that he is able to play in the preseason finale after a few live practices.

Nembhard's two-way skill could end up being important for the Pacers this season. He can play many positions, is a fine shooter, and was one of the best defensive players on the roster last season. As he grows, his two-way abilities should make him a glue guy, at least, for the team.

He averaged 9.5 points and 4.5 assists per game last season, his first one in the league. He was one vote away from making the All-Rookie Second-Team. Nembhard has a solid base to build from, and that building could start on Friday.

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