Pacers Coach Rick Carlisle: ‘I’ll Break The News,’ Benedict Mathurin Projected To Start

August 5, 2025

Bennedict Mathurin, Pacers, NBA — File photo

Indiana Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin is heading into a pivotal NBA season and he’ll likely do so as a starter.

That’s the word from coach Rick Carlisle, who told Caitlin Cooper of Basketball, She Wrote that Mathurin is projected to open the 2025-26 season as Indiana’s starting shooting guard.

“I’ll break the news right here,” Carlisle said. “I’m projecting him as our starter at two this year. I’ve told him this. I was on the phone with him and his agent four days ago and I said, ‘You’re going to be with the starters on day one. It’s your job to lose.’”

Mathurin, 23, has been in and out of the starting lineup since being selected sixth overall out of Arizona in 2022. He’s started 85 of his 209 career games, averaging 16.4 points on 43.9 percent shooting over his first two seasons.

He’s expected to take on a much larger role this season with All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton out after tearing his Achilles. The Pacers will need scoring, and that is where Mathurin has shown early promise.

Carlisle praised Mathurin’s ability to get to the free-throw line and score in isolation but acknowledged other parts of his game still need development. That includes decision-making, ball movement, and fitting into Indiana’s offensive system.

Mathurin is eligible for a rookie-scale extension before the October 20 deadline. If no deal is reached, he’ll earn $9.2 million this season and could hit restricted free agency next summer.

With a starting role now in hand and Haliburton sidelined, Mathurin is positioned for the biggest opportunity of his young career — and perhaps a contract year breakout.