The Indiana Pacers signed Garrison Mathews to another 10-day contract on Monday, and he didn't take long to make a notable impact.
In Indiana's loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers, the 29-year-old recorded 15 points on 3-for-3 shooting, one rebound, an assist, and a steal in 25 minutes off the bench. This was far and away Mathews' best game in a Pacers uniform, and it may be just what he needed to prove that he can be a legitimate contributor on the team. At least for the rest of this season.
The Pacers signed Mathews to a second 10-day contract for a reason. They see something in him that could make him a valuable part of the roster. And just before his solid performance against Cleveland, the Tennessee native received high praise from head coach Rick Carlisle, which could hint at what is next in store for him.
Rick Carlisle praised Garrison Mathews' NBA-level skill
After the Pacers signed Mathews, Carlisle spoke about what he brings to the table and why he can bring value to the team (h/t Tony East of Forbes).
"He's an NBA player with an NBA skill. He has gravity. The stats will take care of themselves," Carlisle said about Mathews.
Mathews is likely never going to be a key player on a championship-level team. However, he still may have what it takes to make an impact for this season and prove that he at least deserves the chance to stick around for the long haul.
The Lipscomb alum is a fantastic three-point shooter, hitting on 38.2% of his shots from beyond the arc in his seven NBA seasons. Additionally, he plays with energy and hustle, which should always bode well in Indiana's system.
Mathews has his limitations, though. He does not provide much defensive value due to his poor defensive awareness and lack of athleticism. And, he often looks lost on defense and can get bullied when guarding on or off the ball. Plus, he isn't much of a playmaker or a rebounder.
Despite all of this, his ability to knock down threes at a high level is worth something. This is especially true for the Pacers as they rely heavily on spacing.
Mathews is a fine player who doesn't have much upside. However, he got an opportunity with the Pacers and had an incredible showing against the Cavaliers. What his days in Indiana will look like moving forward remains to be seen. But as of now, the momentum is shifting his way, and it could be enough for him to land a standard contract and stick around for at least the rest of the season.