Not only did Nesmith record a career-high in practically every statistical category: he played patient basketball that felt particularly seasoned, a serious departure from his past efforts. The Athletic’s Jared Weiss asked Nesmith about a particular play in the second half – Nesmith passed up a wide-open three to instead attack the rim, thus drawing a foul on Cody Zeller – that mirrored a play in the first half in how it began, but not how it finished. Young players will find themselves riding the pine early and often in their careers if they’re unable to make snap decisions at the pro level; prior to last night’s contest, that appeared to be Nesmith’s problem.

But last night, he showed real flashes of a player who will make the hustle plays when you need them to be made and when they’re just nice to have.