The Pacers have largely been able to avoid the injury bug this season, but on Thursday night it seemed to return to the team.
In the first quarter, about three minutes into his playing time off the bench, Bennedict Mathurin suffered a pretty bad looking ankle roll.
Here’s the injury to Bennedict Mathurin. Pretty bad ankle roll: pic.twitter.com/qrFZx7kknX
— Zach Pearson (@zapearsonNBA) March 10, 2023
It occurred on a drive to the rim where he stepped on the defenders foot when he was coming down. Almost immediately multiple vets jumped to their feed to carry Mathurin to the locker room.
Veterans George Hill and James Johnson carrying Mathurin directly to the locker room. pic.twitter.com/Fp4pEjQkBk
— Scott Agness (@ScottAgness) March 10, 2023
Almost immediately after it happened Mathurin was ruled questionable for the game and then later ruled out for the rest of the game by the team, and we aren’t surprised, the ankle roll looked really bad.
Bennedict Mathurin (right ankle sprain) will not return. https://t.co/8ltQUpXPFD
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) March 10, 2023
We aren’t sure how long Mathurin is going to be out given ankle sprains can vary widely in recovery time. Kevin Durant had an ankle sprain a few nights ago and they have yet to release a timeline, so we may not hear from the Pacers a timeline for awhile.
It appeared that the injury not only looked bad, but was extremely painful as many of Pacers media described the scene at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
This ankle injury looks painful…hope Mathurin is okay https://t.co/lYdMt8WDov
— Alex Golden (@AlexGoldenNBA) March 10, 2023
Bennedict Mathurin in a fair amount of pain landing on a foot coming down from a shot. Was holding his right ankle. He was carried off the floor.
— Pat Boylan (@PatBoylanPacers) March 10, 2023
Bennedict Mathurin down in pain holding his ankle. Rolled it badly on the shot attempt. He hasn’t missed a game yet in his rookie season.
— iPacers.com (@iPacersblog) March 10, 2023
What it means for the Pacers for the rest of the season
Mathurin has seemed like an ironman for the team this season playing in every game. It is likely that is going to change in the coming weeks as the Pacers likely aren’t in playoff contention to begin with. Given how good Mathurin has been in his rookie season it is important that the Pacers allow Mathurin the take the time he needs to heal so that he can come back equally as strong in future seasons when the Pacers might have something legitimate to play for.
We wish Mathurin a speedy recovery and hope he is able to come back stronger than ever.
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