How Aaron Nesmith Became 2025 NBA Playoffs’ Deadliest Three-Point Shooter
Despite leading by 17 with just over six minutes to play (and by 14 with under three minutes), the New York Knicks were stunned by the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday.
And while there was certainly more than one hero for Indiana in the comeback that ended with a 138-135 victory, no one stood out quite like Aaron Nesmith.
The sharpshooting wing went 8-of-9 from deep in the game, dropped 30 total points and completely took over during closing time.
During the final five minutes of the fourth quarter and overtime, he scored 20 points and hit five triples.
Now, his playoff-long numbers should have NBA fans taking notice.
Nesmith has been this postseason's deadliest outside shooter, which begs the question: How did we get here?
Nesmith Is Always in the Right Spot
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Nesmith's 35 triples in the playoffs ranks third, behind only Derrick White (who shot 38.5 percent from deep) and Anthony Edwards (who's shooting 38.4 percent).
After Wednesday's explosion, Nesmith is nailing 53.8 percent of his three-point attempts.
And while a lot of that obviously has to do with his abilities as a jump shooter, Nesmith also deserves credit for the way he operates off the ball.
Typically, a line like that is almost entirely a nod to off-ball movement, but Nesmith is also content to sit and wait in the corner while primary actions are happening in the middle of the floor. And if the defense doesn't make him move, he won't. If he gets a good catch-and-shoot look from those corners, you can almost book it. In the regular season, he made 47.2 percent of his corner threes.
Of course, movement is part of the equation, too. His ability on that front was on vivid display against the Knicks. He was coming off pin-downs, floating to the open space and was always ready to shoot once the ball found him.
Knowing how to keep or get yourself open is an important skill for a shooter, and Nesmith clearly has it.
He Has Clean, Compact Shooting Mechanics
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There's an old acronym in basketball that most kids have heard at least once growing. BEEF. B for balance, E for eyes on the target, E for elbow in and F for follow through.
Now, there's no explicit indication that Nesmith was introduced to the BEEF approach, but his jump shot sure looks like that of a believer.
His feet almost always give him a good base. His elbow is in, and the follow through is held through plenty of makes.
Nesmith has a very technically sound jumper, and you can tell it's something he's thought plenty about when you hear him talk about it.
The best shooters are those with mechanics that look just about the same on every shot, regardless of what preceded the attempt or how the defense is playing it.
And Nesmith certainly checks that box.
He Has Tyrese Haliburton, Andrew Nembhard and T.J. McConnell
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Nesmith has the luxury of playing with one of the league's best and one of its more underrated playmakers.
Since joining the Pacers, Tyrese Haliburton has averaged 10.1 assists. His ability to manipulate a defense is nearly unmatched among the league's current group of guards. And his ability to put the ball into Nesmith's shooting pocket makes shooting easier for him.
Nesmith has the added benefit of playing with Andrew Nembhard and T.J. McConnell, too. Even when Haliburton is off the floor, there is almost always at least one steady creator on it. And that means plenty of open looks manufactured for him.
Heck, even Pascal Siakam assisted Nesmith 24 times this season (12 of which were for threes).
Playing on a team that values ball and player movement has undoubtedly helped Nesmith get to this moment.
Nesmith Has Been This Way a While
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But it's not as though this moment came completely out of nowhere.
Nesmith has never had a spotlight quite like the one he has right now, but he's quietly been among the league's better three-and-D wings since he joined the Pacers.
During his three seasons there, he's averaging 11.3 points and 1.8 threes, while shooting 40.2 percent from deep. He's had an above-average defensive estimated plus-minus in each of the last two campaigns.
And way back in 2019-20, during his injury-shortened sophomore campaign for Vanderbilt, he shot 52.2 percent from deep. His potential as a shooter was a big part of why the Boston Celtics drafted him in the 2020 lottery.
For years, Nesmith has willingly played a sometimes thankless role. The build to this moment was slow. But he's having one now.
And if the Pacers manage to pull off seven more wins and secure a championship, his outside shooting will be a big reason why.
