Pacers' Bennedict Mathurin starts strong in crossroads season

The Indiana Pacers didn't give Bennedict Mathurin a rookie extension this summer. His performance in their season opener may make them wish they had.

Mathurin scored a team-high 36 points in Thursday's 141-135 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder in double overtime. It was an NBA Finals rematch, but the Pacers didn't have Myles Turner or the injured T.J. McConnell and Tyrese Haliburton back from last year's team. After Andrew Nembhard left the game in the first half with a sore shoulder, that meant the scoring burden fell heavily on Pascal Siakam (32 points) and Mathurin.  

Bennedict Mathurin is playing for an extension this season

Mathurin was the No. 6 pick in the 2022 draft, but did not receive a rookie extension from his team before Monday's deadline. In part, that's because the Pacers aren't sure what they have with Mathurin, or how he fits on their team going forward.

In part, that's because Mathurin can be inconsistent. He had a 27-point game and a 24-point game in the NBA Finals — along with a two-point game and a five-point game. Sometimes Mathurin's ability to score one-on-one and get to the hoop is extremely helpful for Indiana's offense, and sometimes he holds the ball too long and slows down their quick, pass-first offense.

He'll be a restricted free agent next summer, giving Indiana the right to match any contract offer. But with Nembhard signed through 2027-28 the Pacers extending Aaron Nesmith through 2029 this week, Mathurin could be an expensive sixth man when Haliburton returns next season.

Bennedict Mathurin had a huge game Thursday

What sets Mathurin apart from Indiana's other wings is his ability to light it up offensively. He scored 15 of his 36 points in the 4th quarter, shooting 2-for-3 from three-point range and getting to the foul line for nine free throws.