Bennedict Mathurin has been fantastic this season. And he's one of the few silver linings for the Indiana Pacers, who are 2-13 on the season.
It was never a secret that Mathurin was talented, particularly as a scorer. In his first three seasons in the league, he averaged 15.9 points while shooting 44.6% from the field and 34.2% from deep, mostly as a bench scorer. However, the leap he has taken so far this season is special, and even the team and fanbase may not have seen it coming to this extent.
In four games this season, the Canadian native is averaging 27.8 points on 51.7% shooting from the field and 41.7% from beyond the arc. He has scored 24 or more points in all of his appearances so far, and he led the team in scoring in three games. This includes a 24-point performance (on 7-for-13 shooting) against the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday to help the Pacers secure a rare win.
It is a small sample size, and it wouldn't be too much of a surprise if his numbers drop eventually. However, he has been a great fit in the starting lineup and has been displaying impressive chemistry, particularly with Pascal Siakam.
Indiana may not be able to turn things around this season, but Mathurin is proving that he can help the team be competitive. And that's great news for him and the Pacers.
Bennedict Mathurin has been incredible this season
The Canadian native had pretty high expectations going into the season. For the first time in his career, he was going to have an expanded role as a full-time starter for the Pacers at shooting guard. And so far, he's done everything the team has asked of him and more.
There are some concerns about whether he can stay in Indiana for the long run or not. And these concerns are mostly valid. Mathurin is mostly an iso scorer who likes to put the ball on the floor and create his own shot. Given that the Pacers' offensive system prioritizes ball movement and keeping a fast pace, it's not hard to see why the Arizona alum may not be a great fit for the team. Plus, it's not like he has enough value as a defender or playmaker to justify giving him a big contract next summer.
Still, he's proving that he can contribute to winning basketball. And that's all the Pacers need to know.
Yes, Indiana is 1-3 with Mathurin, but that's more of a testament to just how bad the team is without Tyrese Haliburton and a dependable center than anything else. And it's also important to note that one of these losses came against the reigning champion Oklahoma City Thunder in double-overtime on opening night.
Is Mathurin ever going to be the Pacers' best player? Probably not. But that doesn't mean he's not valuable to their long-term success. The 23-year-old is on another level this season, and at this rate, the Pacers may have no choice but to open up their wallets and keep him around after this year.