Despite a rocky postseason run so far (especially to begin the conference finals against the New York Knicks), Indiana Pacers forward Bennedict Mathurin came up big in Game 4, which may have saved his career with the team.
Many still question Mathurin's long-term fit in Indiana. However, this is not because of his talent. Instead, there are concerns about his fit in the Pacers' offensive system that relies on high energy and ball movement. Additionally, he is eligible for a rookie-scale contract extension in the summer. The Pacers have to re-sign Myles Turner in the offseason, which could put them in a tough spot financially. If they decide to shed salary, Mathurin might be the first player they look into moving on from.
This series against New York was going to be crucial for the Canadian native. Though he struggled a bit to begin the round, he turned it up when the Pacers needed him the most and is one of the reasons the team is just one win away from the NBA Finals.
Bennedict Mathurin was stellar in Game 4
Heading into Game 4, Mathurin was not having a good series. Through the first three games, he averaged 3.7 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 1 assist in 13.3 minutes. Additionally, he shot 25% from the field during that span. However, his number was called a lot more in Game 4, and he made the most of it.
In the Game 4 win, the Arizona alum scored 20 points on 5-for-8 shooting in just 12 minutes. He also recorded two rebounds and two assists. It may not have been a historic-level game the Pacers have gotten from many of their players so far in the playoffs, but Mathurin's performance was crucial to their victory, and it was another reminder of exactly what he can bring to the table.
At his best, Mathurin is a microwave scorer who can get hot at any point. Though he has developed into a more well-rounded player, his bread and butter remains his iso scoring. It remains to be seen exactly what Mathurin's Pacers future looks like. He is going to turn 23 years old next month, and he still has room to grow. Regardless, it is clear that he possesses a ton of talent and can be an asset for the Pacers in the long run, and this was made pretty clear in the team's Game 4 win.