The Indiana Pacers received a significant setback with the news that wing player Bennedict Mathurin will undergo season-ending shoulder surgery to repair a torn labrum, as announced by the team on Saturday.
The Pacers anticipate a complete recovery for Mathurin before the onset of the 2024-25 season. This development is particularly challenging for the team, currently vying for playoff contention in the Eastern Conference, as Mathurin, aged 21, has been a standout performer coming off the bench.
Mathurin sustained the injury during the Pacers’ recent 137-120 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday. While he has generally remained healthy throughout his nascent NBA career, participating in 78 games during his rookie year and 59 out of 63 possible games this season before being sidelined, this injury necessitates intervention.
The forthcoming procedure is slated for the upcoming week and will be conducted by esteemed surgeon Dr. Neal ElAttrache, known for his work with renowned athletes such as Aaron Rodgers and Shohei Ohtani, as confirmed by the team.
Following a promising fourth-place finish in the Rookie of the Year voting, Mathurin was enjoying a productive sophomore season prior to the injury. His season averages stand at 14.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game, with shooting splits of 44.6/37.4/82.1.
Mathurin’s impact off the bench for the Pacers has been notable, with his scoring average of 13.9 points per game ranking ninth among all reserves with at least 20 appearances, according to NBA.com data.
In Mathurin’s absence, rookie shooting guard Ben Sheppard is expected to assume a more prominent role in head coach Rick Carlisle’s rotation.
Sheppard logged 19 minutes of play against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday night and has averaged 4.1 points and 1.5 rebounds in 12.0 minutes per game off the bench this season, shooting 42.1 percent from the field and 37.4 percent from beyond the arc.
