Pacers lose Bennedict Mathurin, but maybe found something in Micah Potter

The Pacers will be without Bennedict Mathurin for a bit.

Mathurin is expected to miss time as he works his way back from a right thumb sprain and turf toe, according to Scott Agness of Fieldhouse Files.

Pacers coach Rick Carlisle acknowledged the hit to the rotation before Sunday’s game.

“When we’re down numbers, it becomes more challenging,” Carlisle said. “We’ve gotten some guys back. But now Mathurin’s out for a while.”

Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reports that Mathurin had been trying to play through the thumb injury for multiple weeks before the Pacers ultimately decided he needed time to heal.

The timing lines up. While Mathurin is averaging a career-high 17.8 points, his production dipped after mid-December. Over his past 11 games, he posted 13.5 points on reduced efficiency.

No return timetable has been announced.

While Mathurin is sidelined, the Pacers have gotten an unexpected boost up front from Micah Potter, who went from newly signed to starting center in a matter of days. Potter’s confidence, he said, traces back to time spent around Team USA.

“It gave me the feeling that I belong,” Potter said, via Dustin Dopirak of the Indianapolis Star. “I’m not going to be Kevin Durant or LeBron James. But I can help those guys.”

Potter scored 16 points against San Antonio on Friday, then followed with 11 points and 10 rebounds Sunday against Orlando, continuing a sudden but steady emergence as Indiana fills gaps and searches for stability.