Bennedict Mathurin single-handedly fixed this fatal flaw for the Pacers

The Indiana Pacers, who made the Eastern Conference Finals last season, are not where many thought they would be through the first three weeks of the 2024-25 NBA season. They are 5-5 through 10 games and have not gone over .500 since starting the season 1-0 with a win against the Detroit Pistons. However, they are finally starting to showcase their potential once again, and the timing is far from a coincidence.

Entering the season as a potential trade candidate, third-year wing Bennedict Mathurin was in for a make-or-break campaign for the Pacers. With the emergence of Andrew Nembhard, as well as the potential of Jarace Walker, there was a chance that Mathurin was more likely to be traded than to stay in Indiana for the long run. This was especially evident when he recorded back-to-back five-point games in Indiana's third and fourth game of the season (both losses).

However, due to injuries to Nembhard and starting small forward, Aaron Nesmith, Mathurin has assumed a larger role in the Pacers' rotation in recent games and has made the most of his new opportunity.

The Canadian native has started each of the Pacers' last five games. In those games, he is averaging 23 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 2.2 assists. This also does not count his fantastic game against the Boston Celtics, when he recorded 30 points on 9-for-17 shooting, 11 rebounds, and four assists in a thrilling overtime victory.

Mathurin's performance has been essential to the Pacers' recent success. His numbers look good, and at times, he looks like the best player on the court. Furthermore, when you dig in just a bit deeper, you realize just how important Mathurin is to the Pacers right now, given that he has single-handedly addressed one of the team's biggest needs.

Bennedict Mathurin has given the Pacers more three-point shooting

By no means are the Pacers a bad three-point shooting team. However, they have lacked a true perimeter specialist since trading Buddy Hield to the Philadelphia 76ers last season. Additionally, through their first four games of the season, the Pacers were shooting just 31.1% from the three-point line. This was the fifth-worst mark in the league.

Since his performance against the Celtics on October 30, Mathurin has shot 56% from behind the line and sits at an even 50% on the year. Furthermore, during that same time, the Pacers have shot 41.1% from the three-point line, fourth-best in the NBA. On the year, they are now shooting a respectable 37.5% from beyond the arc and sit comfortably as a top-10 three-point shooting team in the league.

The Pacers have plenty of solid perimeter shooters on the team (even though Nembhard and Tyrese Haliburton are still shooting below 30% from three-point land this season). However, their need for a legitimate specialist and deep threat was real. It remains to be seen how sustainable this hot streak is for Mathurin and the Pacers, but early on, there are plenty of reasons to be excited.