While they lost their place in the Top 6 of the Eastern Conference, the Pacers learned some very bad news since they will have to do without Bennedict Mathurin for the end of the season, playoffs included if they were to participate.
MVP of the Rising Stars Challenge in Indianapolis a month ago, the Canadian fullback will have surgery on a torn labrum in his right shoulder. It's the exact same injury as Ja Morant, and according to ESPN, it should be reinstated for the start of the 2024/25 season. Which means, at the same time, that he will not participate in the Paris Olympic Games where Canada will be one of the outsiders after its beautiful bronze medal at the last World Cup.
During his rookie year, he became the first Pacer since 1989 to be elected to the All-Rookie First Team with his 16.7 points per game. Leader of the Indiana bench, Mathurin joins Doug McDermott in the infirmary, and Rick Carlisle will have to rely on rookies Ben Sheppard and Jarace Walker to support TJ McConnell, Jalen Smith and Obi Toppin.
| Bennedict Mathurin | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2022-23 | IND | 78 | 29 | 43.4 | 32.3 | 82.8 | 1.1 | 3.0 | 4.1 | 1.5 | 2.1 | 0.6 | 2.0 | 0.2 | 16.7 |
| 2023-24 | IND | 59 | 26 | 44.6 | 37.4 | 82.1 | 1.0 | 3.0 | 4.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 0.6 | 1.6 | 0.2 | 14.5 |
| Total | 137 | 28 | 43.9 | 34.4 | 82.6 | 1.1 | 3.0 | 4.0 | 1.7 | 2.0 | 0.6 | 1.8 | 0.2 | 15.8 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
