Image Source: NBA – Pacers
[Saba Sports News] The Indiana Pacers, one of this season’s standout teams in the Eastern Conference, are facing challenging news. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski has reported that Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin will undergo season-ending surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder. While this surgery sidelines him for the remainder of the season, Mathurin is anticipated to fully recover in time for the 2024-25 season.
Mathurin, at just 21 years old, has played a crucial role in the Pacers’ impressive performance this season, especially contributing to their top-ranked offense. Following a stellar rookie year, he continued to impress this season with averages of 14.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game, showcasing his skill with solid shooting efficiency. His contributions were highlighted by being named the MVP of the Rising Stars Challenge during the All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis.
Despite advancing to the championship game of the recent In-Season Tournament, the Pacers are currently positioned eighth in the Eastern Conference standings, narrowly trailing the sixth seed to avoid the play-in tournament. With Mathurin out for the season, the team will look to players like Aaron Nesmith and Andrew Nembhard to fill the void on the wing, leaning on their depth that has been bolstered over recent months.