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.
Pacers' Bennedict Mathurin: Progressing well after surgery
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Coach Rick Carlisle said Tuesday that Mathurin (shoulder) is way ahead of schedule on his post-surgery recovery, Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star reports.
Mathurin's productive sophomore season was cut short due to a torn labrum in his right shoulder. The 21-year-old averaged 14.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 26.1 minutes across 59 games. This progress bodes well for the Pacers and Mathurin, as he's on track to make a full recovery before the start of the 2024-25 season.
Pacers' Bennedict Mathurin: Undergoing season-ending surgery
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Mathurin is slated to undergo season-ending surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports.
This is a tough blow for both the Pacers and Mathurin, who was originally just looking at a few games on the sideline before this diagnosis. With Indiana trading Buddy Hield prior to the deadline, the second-year sharpshooter was expected to see a bigger role for the remainder of the season. Now, the team will rely on Andrew Nembhard and Aaron Nesmith on the wing, while Doug McDermott (calf), Ben Sheppard and Jarace Walker will be reserve options. Mathurin is expected to make a full recovery ahead of the 2024-25 season.
Head coach Rick Carlisle said Thursday that Mathurin (shoulder) will miss the Pacers' next three games, Tony East of SI.com reports.
Mathurin had already been ruled out for Thursday's game versus the Timberwolves due to a right shoulder sprain, but he'll also sit out games Sunday in Orlando and Tuesday in Oklahoma City before the Pacers re-evaluate him following the brief road trip. With Doug McDermott (calf) also out Thursday and uncertain to play during the two-game road trip, rookie Ben Sheppard should be in store for an expanded profile on the Pacers' second unit.
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Pacers' Bennedict Mathurin: Ruled out for Thursday
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Mathurin has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Timberwolves due to a right shoulder sprain.
Mathurin played through a foot issue Tuesday and posted 19 points (7-16 FG) in 25 minutes during a win over Dallas. However, he's now dealing with a shoulder issue and will miss at least one game. His next chance to suit up will come Sunday in Orlando, while Ben Sheppard is a candidate for an increased bench role versus Minnesota, especially with Doug McDermott (calf) still out.
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Pacers' Bennedict Mathurin: Cleared to play
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Mathurin (foot) is available for Tuesday's game against the Mavericks.
Aaron Nesmith (quad) and Ben Sheppard (illness) are also available for Indiana. Mathurin has been cold over his last three appearances, hitting 34.3 percent of his shots from the field.
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Pacers' Bennedict Mathurin: Added to injury report
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Mathurin is questionable for Tuesday's game against Dallas due to left foot soreness.
Mathurin joins Aaron Nesmith (quad) and Ben Sheppard (illness) as questionable for Tuesday's game. Nesmith participated in shootaround, but Indiana is nonetheless at risk of being shorthanded on the wings against a formidable offense Tuesday.
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Pacers' Bennedict Mathurin: Back to bench
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Mathurin will return to a reserve role for Friday's game against the Pelicans,
Mathurin will come off the bench in favor of Aaron Nesmith, who is returning from a four-game absence. This move comes after Mathurin's huge performance in Monday's 130-122 loss to Toronto when he tallied 34 points (11-15 FG, 5-8 3Pt, 7-9 FT), nine rebounds, five assists, one block and two steals in 39 minutes. The second-year wing still figures to see a considerable role off the bench.
