Less than a year ago, the Indiana Pacers made their first conference finals appearance in a decade before getting swept by the eventual champion Boston Celtics. And despite a slow start to the current season, the Pacers had a better season than they did last year. The Pacers won 50 games in a season for the first time in 10 years, and they secured a top-four seed for the first time since 2020. Additionally, they currently hold a 2-0 lead over the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round of the playoffs.
As it stands, the Pacers are in a great position to prove their doubters wrong once again. However, the Pacers have bigger goals than that as they also have championship gold on their mind. Last year's Pacers team was fun and successful, but they are even better this year, and much of that has to do with a former lottery pick that adds a different dynamic on the court.
The Pacers are even more dangerous than they were last year
The Pacers are mostly running it back with last year's conference finals team, but there is one notable addition this year--Bennedict Mathurin. Last season, the Canadian native suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in March and did not suit up at all in the playoffs. Despite his absence, the Pacers went on a deep playoff run. Now that Mathurin is healthy and the Pacers are looking to make another run this year, they are an even bigger threat in the playoffs.
This season was arguably the best of Mathurin's career so far. Though he entered the season with his long-term fit in Indiana uncertain, he has since established himself as an important part of the team's future. Furthermore, while his scoring ability is still his best asset, Mathurin became a much more well-rounded and team-oriented player this season. This makes him a fantastic complementary player and a good fit on the roster.
With a 2-0 series lead against the Bucks, Mathurin and the Pacers are in a good spot to advance in the playoffs. However, the series is not over yet, and the Pacers still have a lot of basketball left to play. Even so, they sent a major message to the basketball world to begin the postseason, and they will look to carry this momentum into the rest of their run. After last year's incredible playoff run, the Pacers will look to repeat that success. Only this time, the Pacers can rely on Mathurin to help take them to the next step.