In a significant development for the Indiana Pacers, guard Andrew Nembhard is set to start against the Grizzlies after missing the last 12 games due to knee tendinitis. Coach Rick Carlisle revealed this in his pre-game press conference on Sunday. Nembhard, who was averaging 7.3 points and 4.7 assists with a 38.5% field goal percentage prior to the injury flare-up in early November, has been on a careful return-to-play ramp-up.

The Pacers' Key Guard's Knee Journey and Comeback

Pre-Injury Performance

Before the setback, Nembhard was making a notable impact on the court. He was averaging 7.3 points and 4.7 assists, showing his ability to contribute both offensively and in terms of playmaking. His shooting percentage of 38.5% from the field demonstrated his consistency in that aspect of his game. This performance had fans and the coaching staff excited about his potential.

Quenton Jackson, on a two-way contract, has been filling in admirably in Nembhard's absence. His efforts have kept the team afloat during this challenging time.

The Injury and Its Nature

Specifically, Nembhard's injury was described in the injury report as left patellofemoral inflammation. This is a common condition often referred to as runner's knee. According to mayoclinic.com, patellofemoral pain syndrome typically causes a dull, aching pain in the front of the knee. Nembhard played just five minutes against the Celtics on Oct. 30 and then missed the next game against the Pelicans. He did manage to play against the Mavericks in Dallas on Nov. 4 and against the Magic in a home game on Nov. 6 before the decision was made to shut it down and focus on recovery.

The overuse and stress on the knee over time led to this issue. The team wanted to avoid having him in and out of the lineup frequently throughout the season, so they decided to take a more cautious approach.

Return and Playing Time

Nembhard is now set to start tonight and will play a limited number of minutes. He expects his playing time to gradually increase from game to game as he gets back to 100 percent.

"I'm feeling good," Nembhard said. "It's just been a process of getting healthy and feeling good, getting back to feeling it out on the court a little more and getting my conditioning up so I'm ready to play."

The Impact on the Team

It's a big step for the Pacers as they played much of November without their top three perimeter defenders, with Nembhard being one of them. In the seven games without all three, they ranked 24th in the NBA in defensive rating.

However, wings Aaron Nesmith (sprained left ankle) and Ben Sheppard (strained left oblique) are still "weeks away" from returning, so the team still won't be at full strength for a while. But Nembhard's return is a positive development.

Andrew Nembhard's Stats

Nembhard is averaging 7.3 points and 4.7 assists per game. He has appeared in 7 games and is shooting just 38.5% overall and 23.1% on 3s. These stats give an overview of his performance before the injury and will be closely watched as he gets back into the swing of things.

Andrew Nembhard's Contract

This offseason, Nembhard signed a three-year, $58,650,480 contract with the Pacers. This was a somewhat surprising decision as he could have waited for free agency after a strong postseason last season. It shows the team's confidence in his abilities and their commitment to building a competitive roster.