Bennedict Mathurin is officially headed west, but not without taking a moment to show love to the place where it all started. After being traded from the Indiana Pacers to the Los Angeles Clippers in the deal that brought Ivica Zubac to Indy, the 21-year-old guard took to Instagram to thank the franchise, the city, and the fans who embraced him from day one.
“Thank you to the Pacers organization, the city of Indy, and the fans who showed love from day one,” Mathurin wrote. “Thank you for believing in me, drafting me, and giving me the opportunity to grow, compete, and represent this franchise.
This chapter showed me great life lessons, growth, battles and amazing memories. I’ll always carry them with me.
To my teammates, coaches, staff, and everyone behind the scenes: thank you for pushing me to be better every single day. On to the next chapter.
🙏🏾 Love Benn.”
And what a chapter it was.
Drafted sixth overall in 2022, Mathurin came into the league as Indiana’s highest pick since Rik Smits in 1988 - and he didn’t waste any time making an impact. He quickly established himself as a cornerstone for the Pacers’ rebuild, earning First Team All-Rookie honors and scoring 1,302 points in his debut season - the third-highest rookie total in franchise history.
But Mathurin wasn’t just a flash in the pan. Over nearly four seasons in Indiana, he averaged 16.1 points per game, growing into a consistent scoring threat and a key piece of the team’s core. His development helped propel the Pacers to the 2025 NBA Finals - a major step forward for a franchise that had been searching for its next great era.
This season, before the trade, Mathurin was putting up 17.8 points per game - a sign that his upward trajectory was still very much intact. His blend of athleticism, shot creation, and competitive fire made him a fan favorite in Indy and a tough matchup for opponents on any given night.
Now, as he joins a Clippers team looking to make a deep playoff push of its own, Mathurin brings with him not just talent, but experience beyond his years. He’s already battled on the league’s biggest stage, and he’s done it as part of a young core that overachieved and outworked expectations.
Indiana, meanwhile, adds a seasoned center in Ivica Zubac, addressing a key need in the frontcourt. But there’s no doubt that parting with Mathurin marks the end of a meaningful era - one that saw a promising young guard grow into a leader, a competitor, and a symbol of what the Pacers were building.
Mathurin’s message wasn’t just a goodbye - it was a reflection of a journey that mattered. For Indiana, his time there will be remembered not just in points and stats, but in the energy he brought to the floor and the belief he helped restore in a franchise hungry for relevance.
Now it’s on to the next chapter - for Mathurin, for the Pacers, and for a Clippers team that just got a lot more dynamic.