Pacers' Bennedict Mathurin: Leads offense in near-30-point game
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Mathurin registered 27 points (9-20 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 7-8 FT), eight rebounds, three assists and one steal over 31 minutes during Sunday's 112-100 loss to the Grizzlies.
Mathurin provided a spark off the bench, leading the team in both scoring and rebounds while shooting more efficiently than usual from both the field and free-throw line. He's now scored at least 20 points in five consecutive outings, but he's supplementing that scoring production with relatively minimal numbers elsewhere (6.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.2 three-pointers, 0.8 steals and 0.2 blocks per game over that span).
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Pacers' Bennedict Mathurin: Game-high 26 points off bench
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Mathurin recorded 26 points (7-18 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 10-12 FT), three rebounds, four assists, one block and one steal over 33 minutes during Wednesday's 126-120 loss to the Magic.
Mathurin had a solid first half with 14 points on 4-of-7 shooting from the field to go along with four assists before going just 3-of-11 over the final two quarters as the Pacers fell to the Magic. The shooting guard also sank 10 of his 12 free-throw attempts to finish with a game-high 26 points, while his four assists were the most he's recorded in a contest since Nov. 7. Mathurin has now scored at least 20 points in three straight, shooting 44.2 percent from the field over that stretch.
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Pacers' Bennedict Mathurin: Another 20-point outing off bench
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Mathurin ended Tuesday's 116-110 win over the Bulls with 26 points (10-17 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 5-7 FT), seven rebounds and two assists over 34 minutes.
Mathurin led all bench players in scoring while leading the Pacers' second unit in rebounds during Tuesday's victory. Mathurin has tallied 20 or more points in two straight games, increasing his total to 18 times this season.
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Pacers' Bennedict Mathurin: Scores 23 points off bench
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Mathurin racked up 23 points (6-17 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 11-11 FT), five rebounds and one steal in 38 minutes during Saturday's 112-107 loss to the Suns.
Mathurin is one of the top scorers in this season's rookie class and showed it again with another excellent performance, reaching the 20-point threshold for the fourth time in January and 18th time this season. He has slowed down a bit compared to what he did in the first weeks of the campaign, but Mathurin remains a reliable fantasy contributor in points leagues thanks to his willingness to put up shots and get to the free-throw line at a high rate. However, Mathurin's poor mark from the field (42.1 percent for the season) and limited contributions in other areas (4.0 rebounds, 1.5 three-pointers, 1.4 assists, 0.6 steals and 0.1 blocks per game) make him far less useful in category leagues.
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Pacers' Bennedict Mathurin: Back to bench
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Mathurin isn't starting Friday's game against the Nuggets.
The rookie had drawn four straight starts, posting 16.8 points and 5.3 rebounds in 28.3 minutes per game during that stretch. However, he'll shift back to a reserve role Friday, as Oshae Brissett will draw his first start of the season. Across 40 games as a reserve, Mathurin has averaged 17.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 27.9 minutes per game.
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Pacers' Bennedict Mathurin: Scores 26 as starter Friday
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Mathurin had 26 points (9-18 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 8-11 FT), five rebounds, three assists and one steal in 39 minutes during Friday's 113-111 loss to the Hawks.
Mathurin has played off the bench in almost every game this season, but he was forced to jump into a starting role with the absences of key players such as Tyrese Haliburton (knee), Aaron Nesmith (illness) and Myles Turner (back). The rookie delivered and led the Pacers in scoring and continues to impress, posting 17 games with 20 or more points this season. If Nesmith and Turner can't return to action Saturday against the Grizzlies, Mathurin will likely remain in the starting lineup and should be heavily involved again.
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Pacers' Bennedict Mathurin: Inserted as starter Friday
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Mathurin will start Friday's game versus the Hawks, Scott Agness of FieldhouseFiles.com reports.
Mathurin gets the call to join the starting five with Aaron Nesmith (illness), Tyrese Haliburton (knee) and Myles Turner (back) all sidelined Friday. Mathurin didn't post particularly eye-popping numbers in his previous two starts as a rookie, averaging 10.0 points and 2.0 rebounds over 30.0 minutes per game.
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Pacers' Bennedict Mathurin: Scores 20 points off bench
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Mathurin closed Wednesday's 119-113 loss to the Knicks with 20 points (7-13 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 5-9 FT), six rebounds and one assist over 28 minutes.
Mathurin bounced back from a subpar four-point performance against the Hornets on Sunday, and he's now scored at least 19 points in four of his last five outings. The rookie is a prime candidate to gain a bigger role as long as Tyrese Haliburton (knee) is out, though he's still likely to come off the bench with T.J. McConnell likely stepping into the starting point guard role.
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Pacers' Bennedict Mathurin: Cleared for action
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Mathurin (shoulder) is available for Sunday's game against the Hornets, Jeremiah Johnson of Bally Sports Indiana reports.
Mathurin was initially questionable due to left shoulder soreness, but the rookie will ultimately be available for Sunday's matchup. The Arizona product has yet to miss a game this season and is averaging 17.4 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 28.0 minutes across 40 appearances (two starts).
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Pacers' Bennedict Mathurin: Questionable Sunday
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Mathurin is questionable for Sunday's matchup against the Hornets due to left shoulder soreness.
Mathurin hasn't missed a game yet in his career and has been on a tear lately, averaging 18.6 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 25.4 minutes since Christmas. If he sits out, more minutes could be in store for Chris Duarte and Aaron Nesmith.
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Pacers' Bennedict Mathurin: Comes off bench for 19 points
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Mathurin closed with 19 points (5-15 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 9-10 FT), four rebounds, two assists and one steal over 31 minutes during Wednesday's 129-126 overtime loss to the 76ers.
Mathurin recorded just three points over the first three quarters before racking up 12 in the fourth on 4-of-9 shooting from the field, while also knocking down all four of his free-throw attempts. The Pacers guard added another four points in overtime to give him 19 on the night, which was second on the team. Mathurin has scored 15 or more points in six straight contests and has shot 10 free throws in each of his last three appearances.
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Pacers' Bennedict Mathurin: Leading scorer off bench
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Mathurin posted 21 points (6-9 FG, 2-2 3Pt, 7-10 FT), three rebounds and one steal across 27 minutes off the bench during Monday's 122-114 victory over the Raptors.
The rookie led the Pacers in scoring on a night when seven different Indiana players scored in double digits. Mathurin's showing from three-point range was especially encouraging, as he'd gone seven straight games without sinking multiple threes coming into Monday. Over his last 10 games, the 20-year-old is averaging 16.6 points, 3.4 boards, 1.2 assists and 1.2 threes.
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Pacers' Bennedict Mathurin: Cleans up at free-throw line
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Mathurin finished with 18 points (6-10 FG, 0-4 3Pt, 6-6 FT), three assists and two rebounds across 26 minutes off the bench in Tuesday's 129-114 win over the Hawks.
Mathurin's woes from downtown continued -- he's now hit just 22.7 percent of his three-point attempts over his past six games -- but he was able to produce his best point total since Dec. 16 due to his flawless shooting from two-point range and the free-throw line. As per usual, Mathurin's contributions in the non-scoring categories remained thin, making the rookie far more valuable in points leagues than he is in eight- or nine-category formats.
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Pacers' Bennedict Mathurin: Disappointing showing in start
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Mathurin notched six points (2-6 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 1-2 FT) and two rebounds across 20 minutes during Friday's 111-108 victory over Miami.
Mathurin drew just the second start of his career Friday with Aaron Nesmith (ankle) out, but he could not take advantage of the opportunity, finishing with a season-low six points on only six shots over a season-low 20 minutes. Mathurin figures to slot back into a bench role when Nesmith returns and is still worth rostering in some fantasy formats. However, the hope is his recent downward trend can be chalked up to tough matchups with the Celtics and Heat.
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Pacers' Bennedict Mathurin: Draws second career start
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Mathurin will start Friday's game against the Heat.
Mathurin will draw his second NBA start with Aaron Nesmith (ankle) out. In his first career start, the rookie posted 14 points, two rebounds and one assist in 40 minutes during a 112-104 win over the Warriors.
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Pacers' Bennedict Mathurin: Scores 15 points off bench
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Mathurin closed with 15 points (4-16 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 7-7 FT), six rebounds and one block in 29 minutes during Sunday's 109-106 loss to New York.
Mathurin failed to score in the first quarter, but he dropped 10 points on 3-for-9 from the field and 4-for-4 from the charity stripe in the second period. The Arizona product continues to serve as a consistent source of scoring for the Pacers off the bench, posting 16.4 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.4 assists over his last seven appearances.
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Pacers' Bennedict Mathurin: Big night off bench Wednesday
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Mathurin chipped in 24 points (8-14 FG, 4-7 3Pt, 4-4 FT), six rebounds, three assists and one steal over 36 minutes off the bench during Wednesday's 125-119 win over Golden State.
It was the rookie's best scoring effort so far in December and his biggest output since he dropped 30 against the Nuggets on Nov. 9. Mathurin may be starting to feel the grind of his first NBA campaign, however. Through eight games this month, he's shooting just 38.2 percent from the floor and 21.6 percent from beyond the arc, averaging 14.3 points, 4.5 boards, 1.6 assists and 1.0 threes over that stretch.
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Pacers' Bennedict Mathurin: Moves to bench
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Mathurin isn't in the starting five for Wednesday's game against the Timberwolves, Zach Pearson of Pacers Press reports.
Mathurin will be replaced by Tyrese Haliburton in the starting lineup Wednesday. Mathurin made his first career start Wednesday and logged a season-high 40 minutes in the contest, but he'll retreat to the bench with Tyrese Haliburton (groin) back and likely see a minutes reduction as well.
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Pacers' Bennedict Mathurin: FInally lands starting role
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Mathurin racked up 14 points (4-16 FG, 0-6 3Pt, 6-8 FT), two rebounds and one assist over 40 minutes during Monday's 112-104 victory over the Warriors.
The rookie has served as an efficient sixth man in Indiana's offense, and he finally got his opportunity to join the starting five amid the Pacers' numerous absences. While this move is probably temporary, Mathurin still has considerable fantasy value off the bench, averaging 18.3 points and 3.8 rebounds through 24 games.
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Pacers' Bennedict Mathurin: Draws first NBA start
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Mathurin is starting Monday's game against the Warriors.
Mathurin will get a chance with the first unit due to the absence of both Tyrese Haliburton (groin) and T.J. McConnell (illness). Mathurin is averaging 16.7 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.1 steals in his last seven contests off the bench.
