(Indianapolis) The clock showed 50 seconds left and the Pacers trailed by eight points. Bennedict Mathurin made a three-point shot before scoring two more points, sending the crowd into a frenzy and bringing hope to Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The comeback was not complete, but the Quebecer managed to earn his place in the hearts of the fans.
Updated yesterday at 11:43 p.m.
Before his first game in the NBA, Mathurin wanted two things: “a victory” and “having fun”. He didn’t have the victory, but he had the pleasure… in addition to accumulating 19 points, 7 rebounds and 2 assists in nearly 28 minutes of play in the 114-107 loss to the Washington Wizards.
In other words: those who still did not know his name will no longer forget him.
“It was good, it was good. I wanted a win, but it was a good first game for me in the NBA. I’m already excited for the second game, ”launched the Quebecer, looking a little crestfallen, after the game.
An hour before entering the field, the native of Montreal North had confided to The Press that his late brother Dominique would accompany him in his own way on the ground: “Wherever I go, in everything I do, he is always there with me”, he said. If Dominique was there, he had something to smile about.
Mathurin’s evening started well from the pre-match presentation: he was one of the players most cheered on by the crowd, which was surprisingly small for a first match of the season.
“It’s good to see that the people of Indiana are interested in me, he evoked on this subject. They are starting to know who I am and what I will bring to the team. Since I set foot here after the repechage, I have received several messages and I have their full support. »
PHOTO MICHAEL CONROY, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Bennedict Mathurin rushes towards the basket defended by Kyle Kuzma.
When asked if he took the time to stop to realize the magnitude of what he was going through, the first-round pick offered a confident answer, as he is used to.
“I try not to do that. I always thought I was going to go here and I’m not surprised to be here. I worked for it and I want to make sure I stay as long as possible. »
No stress
As was the case in the preparatory matches, Mathurin watched the first minutes of the match from the sidelines. He was quick to take the field, however, entering with 6:46 to go in the first quarter as the Pacers trailed 20-11. And he quickly stood out.
From his first seconds of play in the NBA, he scored his first two points, waking up the crowd who had been a little discreet until then. The ice was broken.
Whether it’s an exhibition game or my first NBA game, I jump onto the court like I’m going to play in a park. There wasn’t really any stress.
Bennedict Mathurin
As the minutes passed, the 20-year-old seemed more at home on the pitch at the stunning Gainbridge Fieldhouse. He was generating attack. With just a minute left in the first quarter, he fired two three-pointers on assists from TJ McConnell to close the gap at 33-25.
At halftime, Mathurin had accumulated 12 points, 4 rebounds and an interception in just 10 min 56 s of playing time. That’s a good way to introduce himself to fans.
PHOTO TREVOR RUSZKOWSKI, USA TODAY SPORTS
Bennedict Mathurin
Returning to the field with 5:47 left in the third quarter, the 20-year-old struggled a bit more, missing some nice field goal breakthroughs and two free throws. He came back strong late in the game, however, scoring five points in a row and giving the home crowd a boost.
“I’m ready whether there are 2 minutes or 30 seconds left. I am the same player with the same confidence. I like to have the ball in these moments, ”suggested the Quebecer, saying he was grateful for the confidence shown in him by his head coach, Rick Carlisle, and by his teammates at the end of the game.
“It’s a good choice for us”
Rick Carlisle has been full of praise for Mathurin since the start of training camp. Asked about the performance of his young player, he was again complimentary.
“It’s his first game. But he has tools that really no one else on our team has. That’s exciting. I thought he played very well. He scored 19 points, you know. »
PHOTO KATHERINE HARVEY-PINARD, THE PRESS
We bet Bennedict Mathurin’s jerseys will become popular with Pacers fans.
The head coach nevertheless specified that Mathurin “still has to learn a lot of things”. “Her decision-making was good at times, but other times she will have to be really better. »
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 crowd would go crazy.
Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle on Bennedict Mathurin
“There are great things to come for him, no doubt about it. »
Ultimately, Bennedict Mathurin can say mission accomplished despite the defeat. As our Uber driver, James, said when we arrived in Indianapolis: “He’s going to be good! »
Yes, Mathurin will be good. One could even say that Mathurin “is” good.