Pacers Brace for Bennedict Mathurin to Miss First Game and Perhaps More

Pacers guard/forward Bennedict Mathurin was forced to exit Thursday’s overtime win over the Rockets after rolling his right ankle in the first quarter.

Now, it seems, the Pacers are bracing for him to miss time with a sprained ankle, per Scott Agness of Fieldhouse Files.

If so, it would be a first this season, with Mathurin joining shooting guard Buddy Hield as the two members of the Pacers who have appeared in all 67 games. Mathurin is also a legitimate Rookie of the Year candidate and certain All-Rookie member, averaging 16.0 points and 4.0 rebounds, and shooting 43 percent from the floor.

Basically, the No. 6 overall pick has joined the likes of point guard Tyrese Haliburton and the rest to give the Pacers what is perceived as a fairly promising future.

• After the game, coach Rick Carlisle said the Pacers weren’t yet certain of the severity of the sprain, per Dustin Dopirak of the Indianapolis Star. Carlisle added he expected Mathurin would be able to play either Saturday or Monday, both in Detroit.
• Seven of Indiana’s next eight games are on the road. They enter the weekend at 30-37 and 1.5 games back of the Wizards for the final play-in spot. So this likely will be the stretch that determines whether they reach the postseason.