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.
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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.
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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.
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Pacers' Bennedict Mathurin: Out next three games
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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.
Mathurin notched 34 points (11-15 FG, 5-8 3Pt, 7-9 FT), nine rebounds, five assists, one block and two steals in 39 minutes during Monday's 130-122 loss to Toronto.
Mathurin showcased alluring three-level scoring Monday, matching his season high in scoring en route to his fourth game of the year with 30-plus points. It has been rare for Mathurin to blend a hot shooting night with free-throw drawing prowess, but he has the ability to do so as a gifted athlete with supreme confidence.
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Pacers' Bennedict Mathurin: Stuffs stat sheet in win Sunday
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Mathurin recorded 14 points (5-14 FG, 3-7 3Pt, 1-1 FT), 11 rebounds, five assists and three steals across 33 minutes during Sunday's 133-111 victory over the Mavericks.
Mathurin has been arguably more productive off the bench than in a starting role throughout the better part of his first two years in the league, but he's been quite good over his last two starts, putting up solid numbers while filling out the stat sheet. Mathurin should remain in a starting role when the Pacers take on the Raptors on Monday, as Aaron Nesmith (ankle) remains out, and the former's fantasy upside should move in the right direction if he can continue to deliver these performances on both ends of the court going forward.
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Pacers' Bennedict Mathurin: Out for Wednesday
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Mathurn has been ruled out for Wednesday's game in Toronto due to a bruised right knee and an illness, Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star reports.
Mathurin will miss Indiana's final game heading into the All-Star break, giving him a full week to rest up until the Pacers' next game Feb. 22 versus the Pistons. With Mathurin sidelined Wednesday, the Pacers could lean more heavily on Ben Sheppard and Doug McDermott off the bench.
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Pacers' Bennedict Mathurin: Fading significantly
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Mathurin finished Monday's 111-102 loss to the Hornets with zero points (0-4 FG, 0-1 3Pt), two rebounds and one assist in 15 minutes.
Mathurin found no rhythm and was scarcely incorporated into the offense Monday. Across three games since the exodus of Buddy Hield to Philadelphia, Mathurin has combined for 15 points on 4-for-21 shooting. Mathurin can boom on any given night, but he may be the odd man out in Indiana.
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Pacers' Bennedict Mathurin: Available for Thursday
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Mathurin (illness) will be available to play Thursday against the Warriors.
Mathurin will return from a one-game absence, which will likely result in fewer minutes for Ben Sheppard. Mathurin may have gotten a little boost at the trade deadline with the departure of Buddy Hield, so it'll be interesting to see if he's more aggressive in the second unit moving forward.
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Pacers' Bennedict Mathurin: Iffy against Golden State
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Mathurin (illness) is listed as questionable for Thursday's game versus the Warriors.
Mathurin is in danger of missing his second straight game Thursday due to a stomach ailment. If Mathurin is ultimately ruled out, Andrew Nembhard, Buddy Hield and Ben Sheppard should continue to receive increased playing time.
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Pacers' Bennedict Mathurin: Ruled out Tuesday
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Mathurin (illness) will not play Tuesday versus Houston, Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star reports.
Mathurin will be sidelined due to a stomach ailment. Mathurin has come off the bench for seven of his past eight appearances, but his void will likely be filled by extra usage for Andrew Nembhard, Buddy Hield and Ben Sheppard.
