Indiana Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin will step away from action to allow his right thumb sprain to fully heal, league sources told Shams Charania on Sunday. The 23-year-old, who sat out the Pacers’ game against the Orlando Magic, had attempted to play through the injury for several weeks.
Mathurin is averaging a career-high 17.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.2 assists over 32.2 minutes per game in 24 contests this season. His scoring and athleticism have been key to Indiana’s offense, ranking 15th in the Eastern Conference with a 6-29 record.
The decision to rest Mathurin follows careful evaluation by the Pacers’ medical staff, aiming to avoid further complications. Persistent thumb injuries can hinder ball-handling and shooting efficiency, making recovery essential before returning to full court action.
Indiana has relied on Andrew Nembhard (17.2 points, 6.7 assists) and Aaron Nesmith (14.1 points) to shoulder the scoring load in Mathurin’s absence. The team also depends on Pascal Siakam’s veteran presence, who leads the roster with 23.5 points and 6.7 rebounds per game.
With the Pacers struggling at the bottom of the East, the loss of one of their leading scorers could further complicate the season.
