3 studs, 1 dud from Pacers' preseason victory against the Cavaliers

While victories in the preseason mean nothing, Indiana Pacers fans can be happy with the team's victory against the Cleveland Cavaliers after their devastating loss to the Atlanta Hawks in their preseason opener.

By a score of 129-117, the Pacers were in control for much of the game, particularly in the second half. As is the case with most preseason games, we got a chance to see some role players and low-end bench pieces get some more action than the team's normal starters.

There were numerous Pacers who stood out and took advantage of their opportunity. Let's take a look at three Pacers who left a positive impression against Cleveland (and one who didn't).

Stud: Enrique Freeman

After playing a solid six minutes in his Pacers debut against Atlanta, Freeman, who the team drafted with the 50th pick back in June, had an even more impressive performance against the Cavaliers, his hometown team.

In the win, the 24-year-old recorded nine points, nine rebounds, one assist, and one block in 19 minutes. Furthermore, he shot 3-for-6 from the floor, including 1-for-1 from the three-point line. He left the game toward the end of the fourth quarter due to a knee injury, though reports are indicating it is not a serious injury.

What makes Freeman so special is what he brings to the team that does not appear on the box score. Freeman is an incredibly energetic player who makes his presence felt everywhere on the court.

Given that he is on a two-way contract this season, we should expect to see a little bit of Freeman on an NBA court. While he is not likely to become a mainsta in the rotation this season, his performance so far this preseason has certainly caught the attention of the rest of the team.

Stud: Jarace Walker

After a disappinting eight-point performance against the Hawks, the second-year player bounced back in a major way. Against the Cavaliers, Walker scored 12 points on a perfect 3-for-3 from the field. Additionally, he recorded four rebounds and one assist.

Arguably the most welcoming part of Walker's performance last night was his presence on the defensive end. While not lockdown in any capacity, Walker looked much more comfortable on the defensive side of the ball and was more physical.

It is only his second season in the NBA, but the 2024-25 campaign could be a make-or-break season for Walker as he continues to fight for a spot in the Pacers rotation. He will be a player to watch for the rest of the preseason, but as it stands, Walker did a great job against Cleveland to show that he can be a major contributor to this Pacers team.

Dud: Cole Swider

The Pacers team as a whole played very well against the Cavaliers with most players either having good or neutral performances. However, if there was one player on the complete opposite side of the spectrum, it is Swider.

In his Pacers debut against the Hawks, Swider looked great. He scored 12 points off the bench on 4-for-10 shooting and recorded six rebounds and two assists. His follow-up game, however, did not go nearly as well.

Against the Cavaliers, Swider scored just three points on 1-for-8 shooting, including 1-for-7 from beyond the arc. It is just one game, but for someone like Swider, who is fighting for a roster spot, this is a bit of a disappointment.

Stud: Bennedict Mathurin

The biggest stud of the Pacers' second preseason game was arguably the biggest dud of their first. In 19 minutes of action, Mathurin scored a game-high 25 points on an incredible 8-for-12 shooting night that included a 5-for-8 mark from behind the line. Mathurin also recorded three rebounds and one assist.

It is no secret that this is an important season for Mathurin as he looks to solidify himself as a long-term player for the Pacers' future. While his defensive game is still nothing to brag about, he looked improved in that area.

All in all, the Pacers should be thrilled with the performance they got out of Mathurin as he continues to find a consistent role with the team during his third season in the NBA.