Bennedict Mathurin’s 2024-25 season with the Indiana Pacers has been pivotal in affirming his value to the team. After missing the entire 2023-24 playoffs due to a shoulder injury, there were uncertainties about his role, especially given the team’s deep postseason run in his absence. However, Mathurin has risen to the occasion, showcasing his scoring prowess and adaptability.
Initially, Mathurin started in 44 of the first 51 games, partly due to Aaron Nesmith’s injury. Upon Nesmith’s return, head coach Rick Carlisle made a strategic decision to move Mathurin back to a bench role. Carlisle explained that this adjustment aimed to balance the team’s offense, allowing Mathurin to maximize his scoring abilities without overlapping with primary playmakers Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam. This move has paid off, with Mathurin averaging 23 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists on 51.7% shooting in the subsequent games, including a standout 28-point performance in an overtime win against the Washington Wizards.
Mathurin’s contributions have been instrumental in the Pacers’ efforts to replicate and surpass their previous season’s success. His ability to adapt to different roles and maintain high performance underscores his importance to the team’s future. As he becomes eligible for a contract extension this upcoming offseason, his recent performances have solidified his case as a cornerstone for the Pacers moving forward.
In summary, despite a rocky start and previous uncertainties, Bennedict Mathurin has demonstrated that he is an integral part of the Indiana Pacers’ long-term plans.
That shift in Mathurin’s role actually makes a lot of sense for both him and the Pacers. While he proved he could start, his skill set as a high-volume scorer might be best utilized in a role where he can dominate the ball more. When sharing the floor with Haliburton and Siakam, Mathurin’s touches naturally decrease, but off the bench, he can take on a primary scoring role against opposing second units.
Carlisle has always been good at managing rotations to get the best out of his players, and this move could be about unlocking Mathurin’s offensive ceiling. If he thrives in this role, it could make the Pacers even more dangerous, giving them a legitimate scoring punch off the bench while keeping their starting lineup balanced. It’s not really a demotion—it’s more of an optimization.
Moving back to the bench is great for Bennedict Mathurin
That’s a great comparison to Harden’s role in OKC. The Thunder realized that staggering their top scorers allowed each of them to thrive, rather than forcing all three to split touches in the starting lineup. Carlisle seems to be taking a similar approach with Mathurin, allowing him to be the offensive focal point when Haliburton and Siakam are off the floor this setup could also help Mathurin develop his playmaking and decision-making skills, similar to how Harden grew into a primary ball-handler in Houston. If Mathurin embraces the role and continues to put up big numbers, it could solidify him as one of the league’s top sixth men—while still giving him plenty of opportunities in crunch time.
