The Indiana Pacers are set to undergo a transformative season, with one player being given a much bigger role.
The Indiana Pacers had a heartbreaking experience in Game 7 of the NBA Finals. Not only did the Pacers lose to the OKC Thunder, but Tyrese Haliburton sustained a brutal Achilles injury.
As a result, the Pacers are set to be without their star player. Things got even worse as Myles Turner left the Pacers to join the Milwaukee Bucks.
Now the Pacers will enter the 2025-26 NBA season without two of their best players. It’s safe to say they won’t be contending for an NBA championship next season.
But that doesn’t mean they won’t be a team to watch in the East. Rick Carlisle named a new Pacers starter recently. And he will surprise everyone with the massive leap he takes next season.
Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty ImagesBennedict Mathurin is set for a breakout season
In Tyrese Haliburton’s absence, Bennedict Mathurin will take a starting role on the Indiana Pacers. The fourth-year Pacers star has been waiting for this opportunity for a long time.
Mathurin has been an exciting prospect for the Pacers for quite some time. After entering the NBA in 2022 as the #6 pick, Mathurin has struggled for consistent opportunities.
This became even harder when the Pacers became a dark horse contender, as he hadn’t developed at a level high enough to play championship basketball.
But last season, he got to start in 49 games, the most of his career so far. And he rewarded the faith Rick Carlisle showed him by averaging 16.1 points per game.
As a starter, he will play more minutes than the 28.3 minutes per game he averaged in his career so far. And with that, his stats are bound to improve.
The Indiana Pacers must trust and develop their young players
Bennedict Mathurin getting more opportunities as a starter is crucial for the future of the Indiana Pacers.
With very little chance to compete for an NBA championship next season, the Pacers don’t have much in the way of expectations.
That can be a good thing, as it means their players will not be under pressure to play at the highest level. With this lack of pressure, they can find their game and work on their craft.
Mathurin has never had a season with the Pacers where they haven’t been a playoff team. So this could be a crucial campaign for him.
Expect Mathurin, along with Aaron Nesmith and Andrew Nembhard, to become much better players this season, as the Pacers take a step back and evaluate their young core.