Bennedict Mathurin impresses in his first game in the NBA

INDIANAPOLIS | Those who did not know Bennedict Mathurin in Indianapolis now know who he is. Despite the loss, the Quebecer quickly established himself as the crowd favorite. “He has tools that no one else on our team has,” even claimed his coach Rick Carlisle, after this first convincing opus in the NBA.

• Read also: NBA: Quebec ahead of Argentina and Greece

• Read also: Finally the NBA dream: Bennedict Mathurin makes his debut with the Pacers

Mathurin wrapped up the Pacers’ inaugural game with 19 points, seven rebounds and two assists in a 114-107 loss to the Washington Wizards.

He made three of his six 3-pointers and two free throws on five attempts. All in 27 min 42 s on the floor.

“It’s good to see that the people of Indiana are interested in me. They are starting to know who I am and what I will bring to the team,” said the Montrealer in a hallway at Gainbridge Fieldhouse after the game.

“I wanted a win, but it was a good first game for me. Whether it’s an exhibition game or my first NBA regular season game, I jump onto the court like I’m going to play in a park. There is not really any stress, ”he continued, as calmly as possible.

Welcomed with great fanfare

Even before the game started, the representative of Montreal North, who was selected sixth in the last draft, caused a sensation.

In the rather emotionless pre-match presentations, Mathurin was clearly the player most cheered on by spectators, along with Tyrese Haliburton.

It took just over five minutes for Mathurin to jump to the floor. And what a start! With 6 min 46 s to play in the first quarter, he was taking his first steps. Eleven seconds later, he made his first basket. No more complicated than that!

“It’s a good choice for us. chad [Buchanan, le directeur général] did a great job on that one and it’s a crowd favorite. When I sent him on the field, the fans went crazy. There are great things to come for him, there is no doubt,” said coach Rick Carlisle, who added that with Mathurin, “the possibilities are incredible.”

spark plug

Unfortunately for Mathurin and his gang, the Wizards quickly took control on the scoreboard, but the former Arizona Wildcats was quick to give a glimpse of his immense talent.

With the Pacers trailing 31-19 with 49 seconds left in the first quarter, he made two back-to-back three-pointers that literally lit up the arena sold to his cause.

At the end of the first 12 minutes of play, Mathurin seemed to be on his way to glory with 10 points. He also stood out when the heat rose in the kitchen with five points in the final moments of the game.

His coach never hesitated to send him into the fray at the end of the game despite his lack of experience, even if he took care to specify that the learning will have to continue.

“Her decision-making was sometimes good, but other times she will have to be really better,” said Carlisle, recalling that it is the job that comes in.

“I appreciate having the confidence of my coach and my teammates. That’s the role I had in Arizona and I’m glad to see it’s the same here. I’m ready, whether there are ten minutes or 30 seconds left. I am the same player with the same confidence. I like to have the ball in these moments,” said Mathurin.

bright future

The Pacers are one of the youngest teams in the NBA, with 12 players 25 or younger on their roster. Everything indicates that Mathurin will soon become a pillar of the team.

“I always believed that I was going to achieve my dream and I’m not surprised to be there. I worked for and I want to make sure to stay as long as possible,” said one of the most spectacular players of the evening.

Mathurin was the second most prolific scorer of his team, behind Tyrese Haliburton (26 points). There is no doubt that this first impression was striking.

In the notebook…

• After being drafted by the Indiana Pacers, Bennedict Mathurin caused many eyes to widen when he talked about how even a player like LeBron James should prove to him on the pitch that he is better than him. Here is a recruit who is not cold in the eyes, it is the least that one can say! “It was just a way of expressing my confidence in myself, but the media made a big deal out of it. You say a sentence and people interpret it, but that’s what I had to say and I don’t feel bad for having said it, ”he commented to the Logtuesday.
• Taking your first steps in the NBA also means measuring yourself against some of your childhood idols. This was the case Wednesday night for Mathurin, with the Wizards guard Bradley Beal. A veteran who entered 2012 as the third overall pick, Beal has always played in Washington and was selected as an all-star three times, in 2018, 2019 and even last season. “It’s an honor to play against Bradley Beal. I watched it many times when I was younger and last year when I was in Arizona. It’s special to have the opportunity to play against him and to see how he is on the field,” enthused the Quebecer.
• The first choice in the next NBA Draft will be the Frenchman Victor Wembanyama, barring a surprise. In the middle, he is presented as the most beautiful hope since LeBron James. The Pacers, who are in a youthful turn, are considered a formation that could end up among the last of the circuit to thus access better chances in the lottery. Players hear this reasoning from analysts, but have other plans. “Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but what matters to us is what happens on the court. We want to have fun growing as a team. We have a lot of young players, but also a lot of talent. I hate losing, so I’m going to do everything to make it go well, “said Mathurin.

“A very emotional moment” –Jennifer Mathurin

INDIANAPOLIS | The saying goes that behind every great man, hides a woman. While all the spotlight is on Bennedict Mathurin, his sister Jennifer has chosen to interrupt her professional projects to devote herself entirely to the career of the young Indiana Pacers sensation.

Earlier this year, the one who was part of the coaching staff of the women’s basketball team at Bishop’s University in Sherbrooke, chose to leave her position to stay with her brother as a special advisor.

With the NBA being a whole new world for the 20-year-old rookie to navigate, his sister who is nine years his senior makes sure he can focus on his game and doesn’t miss a thing.

“He’s still young and we wanted to make sure he had a good support system around him. I chose to put my business on hold. It’s family first and it’s important to be as close to him as possible. It’s a good sacrifice, but it’s important that I be there if he needs anything, ”testified Jennifer, met on Wednesday, a few minutes before the brother’s debut in the NBA.

His mother and a handful of friends also attended the highly anticipated meeting.

In control

For Jennifer, it was obviously an evening full of emotions. After the last few months punctuated by different stages in her brother’s journey, she felt more in control than ever.

“I was able to adapt to his journey in the NBA because there were Summer League games and preseason games. It is sure that there, it is a very emotional moment, ”she mentioned.

“Honestly, I’ve been crying since he took his first steps in the Summer League, so I don’t think I even have a tear left to shed!” she added with a big laugh.

No fears

As much for Jennifer as for Bennedict Mathurin, the new adventure in the world of professional basketball presents its share of unknowns.

So far, everything is going great.

“It’s a good challenge, but it’s okay because I see Bennedict feeling very good. It’s a job now, but I’ve always believed that when you work hard, you can accomplish anything,” Jennifer said.

The sister and adviser of the already very prominent player in Indianapolis took the trouble to savor the scene.

“All basketball players, when they are young, the dream is the NBA. Bennedict went there. It’s just sick! Sometimes you say to yourself: “OK, I really have to pinch myself”. At the same time, I know it has become reality. »