Age: 24
Years Pro: 3
Status: Heading into second year of two-year contract. Will be an unrestricted free agent in 2024.
Key Stats: Appeared in 24 games for the Pacers, starting 11. Averaged 13.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.1 assists over those games, shooting 47.6 percent from the field, and 42.2 percent from 3-point range. Scored in double figures in 19 of 24 games played with the Pacers. Set new regular-season record for points in a quarter by scoring 25.
One of the top scoring threats for the Indiana Pacers during the 2022-2023 season didn’t join the team until after the midway point.
When Jordan Nwora was traded to the Pacers from the Milwaukee Bucks on Feb. 9, he repeatedly used one word in describing his thoughts on joining the franchise: opportunity.
In his first two and a half seasons, the former University of Louisville All-American found himself fighting for minutes on a title-contending team.
After helping the Bucks win a championship during the 2020-2021 season, averaging nine minutes per game, Nwora averaged 19.1 minutes in his sophomore season. Through 38 games in 2022-2023, Nwora was averaging 15.7 minutes per game before he and teammate George Hill came to Indiana as part of a four-team trade.
After the deal finalized, Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle called Nwora a “gifted scorer,” saying his coaching staff kept a close eye on him the year he was drafted.
GALLERY: Jordan Nwora's 2022-23 Season in Photos >>
Upon arriving in Indianapolis, Nwora, 24, made the most of his new opportunity.
In 24 games with the Pacers, the Buffalo, New York, native averaged 13.0 points on 47.6 percent shooting , 4.7 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game for Indiana this past season – all career bests. The 6-foot-8 forward had the fifth-best scoring average on the team.
"I think it was really big for myself finally getting this chance and opportunity,” Nwora said. “It's something I was definitely waiting for. I've said before, I'm super excited to be here, super excited to be with this team. I feel like it's a great spot for me.”
Nwora showed off his offensive gifts soon after landing in the Circle City.
From Feb. 25 to March 18, Nwora scored in double digits in 10 straight games, including 16 or more points five times. Overall, he would score in double digits in 19 of his 24 games with the Pacers, including in the last eight games of the season.
While he had multiple memorable games, Nwora’s most memorable was against the Atlanta Hawks on March 25, in which he recorded 25 points in the second quarter – a franchise regular-season record for points in a period -- en route to a season-high 33 points.
During the final stretch of the campaign, Nwora was rewarded for his consistency with increased playing time.
Over the last eight games, Nwora averaged 29.8 minutes, 16.9 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game for the Blue and Gold. He showed off his ability to score at all levels while also making an impact in the rebounding margins.
While he started 11 games for the Pacers, Nwora also played a large part in the Pacers finishing with the highest scoring bench in the NBA.
Nwora is entering the final year of his contract and will become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2023-2024 season. He has the ability to play at both the 3 and 4.
In the offseason, Nwora said he plans to take his game to “another level,” and conditioning will be a focus since the Pacers are a fast-paced offensive team.
He said he plans to spend lots of time in Indianapolis in the summer, and looks forward to continuing to grow with the young squad.
“I didn’t get a lot of practice post-trade deadline. I think this summer is going to be huge,” Nwora said. “…I think I’m going to be here a lot getting a lot of work in in Indiana. They have everything I need here and great coaches.”
Jordan Nwora 2023 Exit Interview
2023 Pacers.com Player Review Schedule
April 17: Tyrese Haliburton
April 18: Myles Turner
April 19: Andrew Nembhard
April 20: Jordan Nwora
April 21: Aaron Nesmith
April 22: Isaiah Jackson
April 23: James Johnson
April 24: Bennedict Mathurin
April 25: T.J. McConnell
April 26: Oshae Brissett
April 27: Chris Duarte
April 28: Jalen Smith
April 29: Gabe York
April 30: Kendall Brown
May 1: George Hill
May 2: Daniel Theis
May 3: Buddy Hield