Aaron Nesmith’s Hot Shooting Streak to Save the Pacers Was Truly Historic

Nesmith saved the day—and joined the NBA playoff history books—with his fourth quarter shooting vs. the Knicks.

Nesmith's red-hot fourth quarter shooting was an NBA playoff first. | Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Aaron Nesmith was the real MVP in the Indiana Pacers' 138-135 win over the New York Knicks on Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden.

Tyrese Haliburton will be the main topic of discussion—and rightfully so—given his incredible game-tying shot at the fourth quarter buzzer, as well as his choke sign celebration, an ode to Pacers legend Reggie Miller in Indiana's stunning comeback win over the Knicks.

But the Haliburton shot doesn't happen without Nesmith, who saved the Pacers and joined the NBA playoff history books with his red-hot shooting, which included six made three-pointers in the fourth quarter

Nesmith is the first player in NBA history to make six three-pointers in the fourth quarter of a playoff game, according to NBA Communications.

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

Only six other players have made six three-pointers in a single quarter in playoff history, and none of them had done so in the fourth quarter, until Nesmith's eruption on Wednesday night.

The first of Nesmith's threes cut the Knicks' lead to 11 points with 3:14 remaining in the final period. His sixth three brought the Pacers to within two points of the Knicks with 22.1 seconds remaining, setting the stage for Haliburton's heroics.

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

Nesmith finished the game with 30 points on 8-for-9 shooting from beyond the arc.

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