Pacers' Bennedict Mathurin: Nets 25 points in return

Mathurin (toe) notched 25 points (7-16 FG, 3-9 3Pt, 8-14 FT), three rebounds, two assists and one steal across 25 minutes during Monday's 127-112 loss to the Pistons.

Mathurin got off to a slow start in his return from an 11-game absence due to a right big toe sprain, scoring just two points while missing all three of his field-goal attempts in the first half. However, he completely flipped the script after halftime and had the hot hand during the fourth quarter. On a 1-13 Pacers team that's desperate for offense, Mathurin -- so long as health prevails -- should have a strong chance at soaring past his previous career-high usage rate of 24.9 percent he established as a rookie in 2022-23. Through his first three appearances this season, Mathurin has handled a 30.2 percent usage rate.