Image Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

Aaron Nesmith Sets NBA Playoff Record With Last 5 Minutes Burst!

Aaron Nesmith created NBA Playoffs history in Game 1 vs. Knicks.

Image Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

Power forward Aaron Nesmith came up with a spectacular performance during the Indiana Pacers’ Eastern Conference Finals series opener against New York Knicks. Nesmith dropped career-best 30 points and two rebounds to guide the side to a 138-135 OT win on Thursday, May 22 at Madison Square Garden. He came up with six three-pointers in the fourth quarter, and with this added his name into the history books.

The 25-year-old became the first player in the history of the league to make six three-pointers in the final quarter of a playoff game. Apart from him, only six other players have made six three-pointers in a single quarter in playoff history. However, none of them achieved the feat in the fourth quarter, making Nesmith the only one to do so.

In addition, the South Carolina-born finished with 9-of-13 shots from the field and 8-of-9 three-pointers. With this, Nesmith also set a franchise record in made threes for the Pacers in a playoff game.

Nesmith’s heroics carried the Pacers out of a 13-point deficit in the final five minutes of the game leading to a come-from-behind overtime win. The first three of his shots cut the lead to 11 points with 3:14 remaining on the clock. Later, his sixth shot cut the deficit to two points with 22.1 seconds. His steak paved the way for Tyrese Haliburton’s buzzer-beater, which led the game to overtime.

Aaron Nesmith is the first player in NBA history to make six three-point field goals in the 4th quarter of a playoff game.

Only six other players have made six threes in a quarter of a playoff game:

▪️ Antoine Walker, BOS at PHI, April 28, 2002 (2nd Q)
▪️ Damian Lillard, POR… pic.twitter.com/y70n6iXR4X
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) May 22, 2025

Also Read: NBA Analyst Believes That Anthony Edwards is Just a Championship Away From Being the Face of the League

“I Just Knew What the Game Needed”- Aaron Nesmith Reflects Upon His Record-Breaking Performance

Following the Pacers’ incredible victory over the Knicks, Nesmith reflected upon his performance and said that it was the need of the moment. He also said that he believed his skills as a shooter and trusted the process. Nesmith said, “I just knew what the game needed, what my teammates needed me to do. And you know, I know I am a phenomenal shooter, so I just trusted the process and let it fly.”

WHAT A NIGHT FOR AARON NESMITH ‼️

🎯 30 PTS (20 in 4Q)
🎯 8 3PM (6 in 4Q)
🎯 2 BLK

At his best when the lights were brightest 😤 pic.twitter.com/cbX3q8Ned2
— NBA (@NBA) May 22, 2025

He talked about the contribution of other players from the Pacers and said, “It’s everybody; It’s Pascal (Siakam), it’s Tyrese, it’s Myles (Turner). You know, we are just a resilient group. We just know how to fight. We never give up till the last buzzer sounds, and I think that’s just what makes us a special basketball team.”

Following the win, the Pacers are leading the best-of-seven series 1-0, and will be back in action in Game 2 on Friday, May 23.

Also Read: New York City Temporarily Co-Names Manhattan Streets In Honor of Knicks’ Playoffs Run

Aaron Nesmith

Indiana Pacers

New York Knicks

Garima Ranawat

Garima is a sports writer with around two years of experience in Indian sports and a newfound interest in the NBA. Inspired by the leadership of cricketing legend MS Dhoni, she wishes to bring in newer perspectives to the NBA fanatics with her writing.