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Aaron Nesmith · With the city of Indianapolis enjoying its first NBA Finals showdown since 2000, and the Pacers’ Hall of Fame, clutch-bucket-getting two-guard sitting front row, Aaron Nesmith found himself perfectly positioned to pay tribute to late-game legends of the past. Cold-blooded in his crunchtime execution throughout the playoffs, Nesmith delivers one of his young career’s biggest shots, turning his teammate’s cross-court drive-and-kick into a 3-pointer that elevates both the crowd and the Indiana Pacers’ lead. Nesmith’s trifecta helped encourage an eight-point advantage in the final three minutes, eventually propelling Indiana to a 2-1 series lead over the Oklahoma City Thunder. Battles against foul trouble would limit Nesmith to only a 22-minute cameo on June 11, 2025, but Nesmith found time to contribute seven points (on three-of-five shooting), two rebounds, one steal, one block, and a 3-pointer. By postseason’s end, Nesmith’s clutch gene encouraged a No. 9 finish on the postseason’s “clutch points” leaderboard. · State of Mint