In a thrilling debut, Bennedict Mathurin lit up the court for the Los Angeles Clippers, leading them to a nail-biting 115-114 victory over the Denver Nuggets. The former Indiana Pacers standout matched his career high with 38 points, making a significant impact off the bench. Mathurin's performance didn't stop there; he also contributed 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals, surpassing even Paul George's record for points in a Clippers home debut.
The game reached a dramatic climax when Mathurin exchanged words with Denver's Jamal Murray as he prepared for a crucial free throw with less than a second remaining. Murray's miss sealed the win for the Clippers.
Now in his fourth year, Mathurin is averaging an impressive 22.0 points over four games with Los Angeles, who currently sit 9th in the Western Conference standings with a 27-28 record.
The trade that brought Mathurin to the Clippers involved sending big man Ivica Zubac to the Pacers. The deal also included Kobe Brown heading to Indiana, while the Clippers received Isaiah Jackson, a 2029 first-round draft pick, and another conditional first-round pick. The specifics of the trade's draft implications add an intriguing layer, as the Pacers will retain certain picks depending on their position in the 2026 draft lottery.
This move has already started to pay dividends for the Clippers, with Mathurin proving to be a dynamic addition to their roster. As the season progresses, fans will be eager to see how this trade shapes the future for both teams involved.