Bennedict Mathurin’s Clippers Debut Shows He's More Than Just a Scorer - And That Should Have the Pacers Watching Closely
Bennedict Mathurin didn’t light it up on the scoreboard in his first game as a Los Angeles Clipper, but make no mistake - his impact was felt. The shot wasn’t falling, sure, but everything else? That looked like a player rounding into form and ready to prove he’s more than just a microwave scorer.
In the Clippers’ loss to the Houston Rockets on Tuesday, Mathurin posted a stat line that tells a deeper story: nine points on 4-of-13 shooting, seven rebounds, four assists, three steals, and - maybe most impressively - zero turnovers. That’s the kind of box score that doesn’t scream superstar, but it does shout versatility. And for a player whose perceived limitations on defense and playmaking led to his exit from Indiana, this debut was a strong first response.
Mathurin played with energy, purpose, and a willingness to get his hands dirty. He grabbed three offensive boards, stayed active in passing lanes, and moved the ball smartly within the Clippers’ offensive sets. It wasn’t just about scoring - it was about doing the little things that win games, the kind of glue-guy effort that coaches love and teammates feed off of.
For the Pacers, moving Mathurin at the trade deadline made sense on paper. They landed Ivica Zubac - arguably the best center available - and filled a clear need in the middle.
With Mathurin heading into restricted free agency and questions lingering about how he fit into Indiana’s up-tempo, ball-movement-heavy system, the front office made a calculated decision. To get something, you have to give something.
But this wasn’t a no-risk move. Mathurin’s upside has never been in question.
He’s a 23-year-old with the tools to become a three-level scorer, and when he gets going, he can take over games. The Pacers knew that.
Fans knew that. And now the Clippers are betting that, in a new environment, with a different role and new expectations, Mathurin can tap into the star potential that made him such an intriguing prospect out of Arizona.
He’s not there yet - but he’s showing signs. The defense looked sharper.
The rebounding was aggressive. The playmaking, controlled.
If this is the version of Mathurin the Clippers can build with, they may have landed a long-term piece without giving up one of their core stars.
Meanwhile, Indiana faces a new challenge: finding someone to replace what Mathurin could have been. Zubac fills a need, no doubt - he’s a reliable interior presence who brings size, rebounding, and rim protection.
But the Pacers will eventually need to find another go-to scorer, someone who can create their own shot and carry the offense in stretches. That’s not an easy ask, especially for a team looking to take the next step in the Eastern Conference.
This isn’t to say Indiana lost the trade. Zubac is a known commodity, and he fits well with the Pacers’ current core.
But trades like this are judged over time. And if Mathurin continues to grow his all-around game in L.A., the Pacers may look back and wonder what could’ve been.
For now, though, the Clippers have every reason to be excited. Mathurin’s debut wasn’t about flash - it was about foundation. And if he keeps building like this, his ceiling in L.A. might be even higher than it was in Indiana.