Bennedict Mathurin had to watch from the bench during the Pacers’ run to the Eastern Conference Finals last spring because of a torn labrum in his right shoulder, writes Kyle Neddenriep of The Indianapolis Star. The third-year swingman said the experience gave him a sense of what to expect as he made his playoff debut Saturday afternoon against Milwaukee.
“I’m really, really grateful to be able to play this year,” Mathurin said. “Last year, I couldn’t. And I’m still super young, so it’s a blessing to be able to have this opportunity in the playoffs at this young age. But I feel like it was a great opportunity for me to go out there and learn.”
Mathurin delivered 13 points and five rebounds in 25 minutes as Indiana handily defeated the Bucks in the series opener. He hit all eight of his free throws, but was only 2-of-7 from the field and 1-of-6 from three-point range as Neddenriep notes that a late-season shooting slump seems to be continuing. Mathurin offered a mixed evaluation of his performance.
“I have a lot of expectations on myself,” he said. “I think I was pretty good defensively. Like I said, the playoffs is just a different atmosphere. And just remembering all the moments of last year, not being able to play, and just going out there and playing hard defense as much as I can, I’m willing to do it to win.”
There’s more from Indiana:
- Jarace Walker got into nine playoff games last season, but was limited mainly to garbage time, Neddenriep adds in the same piece. He has a more prominent role this year, contributing three points, five rebounds and a block in 17 minutes on Saturday. “It was so much fun,” Walker said. “I had a great time, just soaking in the moment. I’ll give the team whatever they need, whether it’s shot making, defending, rebounding. I feel like I’m a versatile player who can impact the game in multiple ways. Whatever is needed, I’ll get it done.”
- Andrew Nembhard set the tone for the Pacers by consistently challenging Giannis Antetokounmpo and Brook Lopez, driving to the basket on offense and double teaming them on defense, per Gregg Doyel of The Indianapolis Star. Nembhard’s fearlessness will be needed in what’s expected to be an extremely physical series, Doyel adds.
- The Pacers’ strategy on Antetokounmpo was successful in Game 1 as he scored 36 points but only had one assist, observes Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star. Myles Turner called the defensive effort “decent,” but said there was too much fouling and too many mis-timed double teams. Dopirak points out that the approach might not work as well once Damian Lillard returns, which is expected to happen in Game 2 or 3.