Fresh off of his second 30-point game, Indiana Pacers rookie Bennedict Mathurin earned high praise from his head coach and teammate on Wednesday in a loss to the Denver Nuggets.
Mathurin produced 30 points, two rebounds and one assist off the bench in the 122-119 loss at home. He finished 10-of-17 from the field, including 6-of-9 from 3-point range, in nearly 25 minutes of work as the Pacers fell to 5-6.
The sixth pick erupted for 18 points in the second quarter, the most by a rookie in any quarter in team history. He had 23 points in the first half and became the first Pacers rookie to reach that mark and make five 3-pointers in any half over the last 25 years.
Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle was thoroughly impressed by the effort.
The second quarter was spectacular … The one thing that I’m so impressed with him is he is just undaunted. He just continues to play his game, doesn’t get down and continues to have a strong belief in his abilities. He is an attacker. He is a rare young player that’s just unfazed.
Mathurin is the second rookie this season with multiple 30-point performances, joining Paolo Banchero. They are the only rookies to have a 30-point game and are first (Banchero, 23.5 points) and second (Mathurin, 20.4 points) in rookie scoring, respectively.
Bennedict's highlights.đź“ą pic.twitter.com/X2rUksgxU3
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) November 10, 2022
The performance followed his eight-point effort on Monday in a win over the New Orleans Pelicans. He struggled from the field, shooting 2-of-8, and failed to get into any sort of rhythm. It was the first game he failed to reach double figures this season.
Mathurin came out on Wednesday aggressive and had his shot falling early. He missed two shots in the first half and was a key reason the Pacers led by as many as 18 points. He found success drawing contact and getting to the line.
Tyrese Haliburton was happy to see him bounce back the way he did.
My favorite part about today was last game was probably his biggest struggle, and I think he would agree that last game was his biggest struggle. I was very curious today to see how he would respond but he is a gamer and I would bet that last game was eating at him a little bit and he came to perform today and he did what he does.
Mathurin has emerged as a consistent scorer for the Pacers in the early going and looks to be as advertised as the sixth pick. He is impressing those around him, and once again earned high praise after putting up one of his best games of the season.
Indiana returns to action on Saturday versus Toronto.
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