Pacers' Bennedict Mathurin: Strong season continues
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Mathurin had 24 points (8-16 FG, 3-5 3Pt, 5-6 FT), 10 rebounds, three assists and one block across 40 minutes during Wednesday's 121-114 victory over the Trail Blazers.
Mathurin recorded his fifth double-double of the season, scoring at least 20 points for the 10th time. Much to the relief of Pacers fans, Mathurin has been able to deliver on some of his potential, currently averaging 18.6 points per game, adding 7.0 rebounds and 1.7 three-pointers. It appears he has entrenched himself as a member of the starting lineup, especially as long as Aaron Nesmith (ankle) and Andrew Nembhard (knee) remain sidelined.
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Pacers' Bennedict Mathurin: Goes for 20 points Friday
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Mathurin registered 20 points (6-18 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 7-7 FT), nine rebounds, one assist, one block and three steals over 33 minutes during Friday's 129-117 loss to the Bucks.
Mathurin didn't have his best shooting performance Friday, but he still found a way to record 20 points for the seventh time in his last nine starts. Injuries to other players promoted Mathurin to a starting role on Nov. 1, but the forward has made the most of the opportunity and is averaging a robust 20.3 points per game this month. He's a must-start player across all formats at this point due to the role he's managed to carve out in the Pacers' offensive scheme.
Mathurin finished Monday's 130-119 loss to Toronto with 28 points (10-16 FG, 4-6 3Pt, 4-6 FT), five rebounds, two assists, one block and one steal over 32 minutes.
A strong argument could be made to say Mathurin has been the Pacers' best offensive player since the beginning of November. The third-year guard has scored in double digits in all but one of his nine November outings and reached the 20-point mark six times in his last seven in that span. As a result, Mathurin is averaging a strong 21.7 points per game since the beginning of the month.
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Pacers' Bennedict Mathurin: Another 20-10 double-double in win
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Mathurin posted 21 points (6-10 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 8-8 FT), 12 rebounds, two assists and two steals across 37 minutes during Sunday's 119-110 victory over Miami.
Mathurin did well on both ends of the court in Sunday's contest, leading Indiana in rebounds and steals while posting a perfect performance from the free-throw line. Mathurin concluded as one of four Pacers with 20 or more points and has now recorded at least 20 points and 10 boards in four outings, including twice in his last three games.
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Pacers' Bennedict Mathurin: Posts 20-10 double-double in loss
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Mathurin totaled 23 points (7-17 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 8-9 FT), 12 rebounds and one steal in 35 minutes during Wednesday's 94-90 loss to the Magic.
Mathurin dominated the paint and provided a lift to Indiana offensively in Wednesday's narrow defeat, leading all players in rebounds while concluding second on the team in scoring and as the lone player with a double-double. Mathurin set a new season high in rebounds, and he has reached double figures in three outings this year. He has now tallied at least 20 points in four straight contests.
Mathurin ended with 38 points (13-18 FG, 7-9 3Pt, 5-6 FT), eight rebounds, two assists and one block over 41 minutes during Sunday's 132-121 win over the Knicks.
Mathurin produced a career-best mark of 38 points, becoming the youngest Pacer ever to score over 35 points with at least seven three-pointers in a single game. With Aaron Nesmith (ankle) sidelined until at least December, Mathurin could continue to thrive in the starting lineup alongside Tyrese Haliburton with the duo combining to score 73 points in Sunday's win.
Pacers' Bennedict Mathurin: Continues to produce as starter
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Mathurin logged 22 points (8-16 FG, 2-2 3Pt, 4-5 FT), six rebounds, two assists and two steals across 36 minutes during Friday's 103-83 loss to the Hornets.
Mathurin got promoted to the starting lineup four games ago following his 30-point performance in the win over the Celtics on Oct. 30, and he's been outstanding while handling more responsibility on offense. Mathurin is averaging 19.3 points per game while shooting 49 percent from the field as a starter, and he's expected to remain in that role until Aaron Nesmith (ankle) is ready to return.
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Pacers' Bennedict Mathurin: Shines from line in double-double
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Mathurin ended Wednesday's 118-111 win over Orlando with 20 points (3-7 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 13-14 FT), 11 rebounds, one assist and one steal in 34 minutes.
Mathurin helped lead the way for Indiana in a winning effort, leading all players in Wednesday's contest in free-throws made while pacing the team in points and rebounds in a double-double performance. Mathurin set a season high in free throws, the second time he has surpassed the double-digit mark from the line. Mathurin has recorded a double-double in two outings this year, and he has notched at least 15 points in four straight contests.
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Pacers' Bennedict Mathurin: Starts again Monday
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Mathurin dropped 16 points (7-13 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 1-3 FT), seven rebounds, three assists and a steal across 32 minutes in Monday's 134-127 win over the Mavericks.
Monday's game also marked Mathurin's second consecutive start, and he will likely remain in the starting lineup until Aaron Nesmith (ankle) returns. In his last three games, Mathurin has averaged 21.7 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 0.3 steals over 35.7 minutes, so it is possible his offensive production will increase in extended minutes.
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Pacers' Bennedict Mathurin: Getting starting nod
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Mathurin is in the starting five for Friday's game versus the Pelicans.
Mathurin will replace Andrew Nembhard (knee) in the starting five Friday. Mathurin is coming off a 30-point performance in which he played 43 minutes in an overtime win over the Celtics.
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Pacers' Bennedict Mathurin: Team-high 30 points in OT win
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Mathurin tallied 30 points (9-17 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 10-11 FT), 11 rebounds and four assists over 42 minutes during Wednesday's 135-132 overtime win over Boston.
Mathurin has logged just five points in each of his last two outings, but he was much more impactful during Wednesday's Eastern Conference Finals rematch, finishing the game as the Pacers' leading scorer and with the second-most points for the game behind Jayson Tatum (37). Mathurin got the start in the second half for Andrew Nembhard, and the former took advantage of the opportunity as he registered his fourth career double-double and his first since Feb. 25 of the 2023-24 regular season. Mathurin has come off the bench during the Pacers' first five games of the regular season, but more outings like Wednesday's could earn him a spot in the starting lineup alongside Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam.
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Pacers' Bennedict Mathurin: Scores 20 points off bench
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Mathurin finished Friday's 123-98 loss to New York with 20 points (8-13 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 2-4 FT), two rebounds, one assist and one steal over 24 minutes.
Mathurin gave the Pacers a much-needed offensive boost off the bench, leading the team in scoring in a blowout 25-point loss against New York. It's only been two games, but it's clear the shoulder issues that limited Mathurin to just 59 regular-season appearances in 2023-24 are a thing of the past. He's scored 19 points in his first two outings of the new campaign and should continue to play a prominent role offensively despite his bench status, meaning he's also a player worth targeting in most fantasy formats.
The Pacers exercised Mathurin's fourth-year team option for the 2025-26 season Friday, Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints.com reports.
Mathurin is scheduled to earn $9.19 million in 2025-26, the final season of his rookie contract. The Arizona product took a step back in his second NBA season in 2023-24, averaging 14.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists across 26.1 minutes per game in 59 outings before having his campaign cut short due to shoulder surgery. Now healthy, Mathurin is expected to play a significant role off the bench in Year 3 as Indiana's sixth man.
Pacers' Bennedict Mathurin: Moves back to bench role
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Mathurin is not in the starting lineup for Thursday's preseason matchup against the Hornets.
Mathurin is expected to open the 2024-25 regular season as a bench option, and given that the Pacers are using what looks like their most likely starting unit for Opening Night, it makes sense to see him retreat to the bench. Mathurin should see regular minutes in this contest, though.
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Pacers' Bennedict Mathurin: Will start Monday
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Mathurin will start Monday's preseason game against the Grizzlies.
With Tyrese Haliburton and T.J. McConnell resting, Andrew Nembhard will shift to point guard, while Mathurin enters the starting lineup at shooting guard. Last Thursday, Mathurin exploded for 25 points (8-12 FG) in 19 minutes off the bench during a win over the Cavaliers.
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Pacers' Bennedict Mathurin: Explodes for 25 points
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Mathurin posted 25 points (8-12 FG, 5-8 3Pt, 4-4 FT), three rebounds and an assist across 19 minutes off the bench in Thursday's 129-117 preseason win over the Cavaliers.
Mathurin was one of the standout performers of Thursday's slate across The Association, and it seems the former Arizona forward is approaching the 2024-25 campaign with a chip on his shoulder following the injury woes that limited him to just 59 regular-season appearances last season. Mathurin averaged 14.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 26.1 minutes in those 59 contests, and he could be a solid weapon off the bench for the Pacers. Operating with the second unit might increase Mathurin's usage and make him a reliable fantasy asset.
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Pacers' Bennedict Mathurin: Says he's 100 percent
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Mathurin (shoulder) said Monday that he will be a full go for training camp this week, Tony East of SI.com reports.
Mathurin said he's been 100 percent for a month and a half, so he should be able to hit the ground running during the preseason. His sophomore season was abruptly ended due to a torn labrum in his right shoulder that required surgery, but the Pacers will be thrilled to see him ready to roll for the upcoming season. In 59 regular-season contests in 2023-24, Mathurin averaged 14.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 26.1 minutes.
