NBA
Why isn’t Bennedict Mathurin playing for the Pacers against the Knicks in game 2 today?
The Indiana Pacers will go into game 2 of their Eastern Conference semifinal against the Knicks without one of their key players.
The Indiana Pacers went into the second round series of the 2023-24 NBA Playoffs against the New York Knicks having overcome the Milwaukee Bucks 4-2. However, their aspirations of going far were always going to be dented due to the absence of one of their most explosive players, Bennedict Mathurin.
And so it proved to be against the New York side, who beat them 121-117 in the first game of the semifinals at Madison Square Garden. So, the question remains, will Bennedict Mathurin be back for game 2?
What injury does Bennedict Mathurin have? When will he return?
Shooting guard Mathurin is not only missing this series but has been ruled out for the remainder of the campaign after undergoing surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder. The team announced that the surgery would be performed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache, a specialist in knee, shoulder, and elbow injuries, in Los Angeles, California, the following week. Reports suggest the procedure went well.
“It’s an enormous loss, obviously,” Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said at the time, adding that Mathurin was “a guy that’s experiencing a tremendous amount of growth, both years. The good news is that he’ll be back for training camp. Shoulder surgeries, they take time.”
Know your enemy:
What are Bennedict Mathurin’s record and stats?
The Canadian guard is in his second season in the NBA and has averages of 14.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.0 assists over 59 games, 19 of which he started as a member of the starting five, which boasts the league’s top offense. Mathurin was named the MVP of the Rising Stars during the All-Star Game weekend.
Mathurin was part of the third-most-used lineup by Rick Carlisle. The guard shared the court with Bruce Brown, Tyrese Haliburton, Obi Toppin, and Myles Turner for 147:56 minutes.
When and where did Bennedict Mathurin get injured?
Mathurin, a graduate of the NBA Academy in San Luis Potosí, Mexico, last played in the victory against the Dallas Mavericks on 5 March 2024.
The guard spent 24:58 minutes on the court at the American Airlines Center and made seven of the 16 shots he attempted to contribute 19 of the Pacers’ 137 points. But as he chased a loose ball, he clashed with Mavs P.J: Washington and landed on the court hard. Since then his Pacers teammates and fans have known that they would be without the 21 year old.
The Knicks host the Pacers in New York today, Wednesday May 8 2024, with tip-off at Madison Square Garden scheduled for 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT.