The Indiana Pacers are the latest Eastern Conference team to appear to have righted its ship. What followed a dismal start to the season has shifted into nine wins in their last twelve games and one game above .500 (19-18). As a team, they are finding again what made them so successful last season and Pacers third-year player Bennedict Mathurin is playing a significant role in the starting lineup.
Pacers Canadian Playing Role in Team Turnaround
Indiana Pacers’ Bennedict Mathurin Playing ‘Winning Brand of Basketball’
First, it was the Milwaukee Bucks to get a grip on their season and turn the corner. The hope for the next team, which got off to a rough start to turn things around, belonged to the Philadelphia 76ers. Unfortunately, they’re not living up to that presently. Philly remains far back in the East, six games below .500 (14-20). So, in taking the Sixers place, the Pacers have slowly replicated what the Bucks started to do in late November. It was a terrible start in the early going, but Indiana has begun to climb the standings and play a much better brand of basketball in the process.
Mathurin, Indiana’s third-year player, is having his best NBA season to date. He’s also logging a career-high in minutes (32.9) as one part of the Pacers starting five. Earlier in the season, Indiana suffered a few significant injuries to key players, and Mathurin stepped in and has not let up. Carlisle spoke to Mathurin’s play of late and pointed specifically to his winning brand of basketball.
“This is a winning brand of basketball that he’s [Mathurin] playing now,” Carlisle said. “He’s learned some things. He’s realized some things. He and I have spent a lot of time talking about it and watching things. If he’s willing to run and take open shots, avoid the temptation to drive into crowds and try to draw fouls and play tough, hard-nosed defense, that’s a winning formula for a young player.”
Progressing Each Season
Coming into the league with a lot of talent and potential, Mathurin showed his offensive upside immediately. He averaged 16.7 points in his rookie year. The following year, his sophomore year, Mathurin missed 23 games, and his points went down. However, his field goal efficiency went up, including his three-point shooting. This year, Maturin’s productivity in more minutes has helped the Pacers get to where they are today, with a winning record. Considering where they were this time a month ago, it’s a fairly significant turnaround.
Mathurin is eligible for a rookie scale extension this year in the offseason. Based on what he’s given Indiana through his first three seasons, it would come as a shock if he were not granted that extension. That being said, Mathurin also carries significant trade value, which Indiana could use this season if they deem it necessary to make roster improvements for a playoff push. The return they could get for Mathurin would be fairly large. However, he could also be a major part of the Pacers future, with Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam as the team’s focal point.
Nevertheless, Indiana today is much better than before. Credit to Mathurin for playing his role, as his coach articulated, to a T. If the Pacers continue to climb those standings, he will surely be a part of it.
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