Nov 12, 2022; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) celebrates with Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle in the second half against the Toronto Raptors at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

'He’s Having a Great Summer' – Indiana Pacers’ Rick Carlisle Has High Hopes for Key Starter This Upcoming Season

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Jordan Samar | Last updated Sep 4, 2025 8:12 AM ET

Bennedict Mathurin is expected to assume a larger role with the Indiana Pacers this upcoming season, as he will likely replace the injured Tyrese Haliburton in the starting lineup.

While Rick Carlisle is excited that Mathurin can show off as a starter, the Indiana Pacers head coach wants the 23-year-old swingman to improve his decision-making.

“The situations when he gets in trouble a little bit, when he drives into crowds…that stuff has got to go away. And we’re going to work with him hard on that. He’s having a great summer. He’s busting his butt,” Carlisle said about Mathurin on the Fan Morning Show.

Dec 1, 2024; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin (00) drives to the basket between Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (13) and guard Ja Morant (12) during the fourth quarter at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

Mathurin is fresh from yet another productive season as the Indiana Pacers’ sixth man, averaging 16.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.9 assists on 45.8 percent shooting from the field across 72 regular season appearances (49 starts).

Indiana Pacers News: Pascal Siakam relishes mentor role with 21-year-old forward

The Indiana Pacers will also heavily rely on Pascal Siakam this upcoming season, as he’ll likely be the team’s No. 1 option. However, that’s not the only thing he is looking to do, as Siakam has taken Jarace Walker under his wing.

Jun 5, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam (43) shoots the ball against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Cason Wallace (right) and guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (bottom) during the fourth quarter in game one of the 2025 NBA Finals at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

‘Probably two weeks ago, pretty deep in the summer, Pascal just hit me up one day. He said he was trying to get some work in Orlando. And, I mean, it was just a no-brainer. To be able to work with an NBA champion, All-Star, brother, teammate, so…just came into work,” Walker said about being mentored by Siakam.

Walker is also poised to have a bigger role following the free agency departure of Myles Turner. The former eighth overall pick made 75 regular season appearances last year, averaging 6.1 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.5 assists on 47.2 percent shooting from the field.