Benedict Mathurin recently made a triumphant return to the court after being sidelined for nearly 10 days due to a toe injury. Facing the Toronto Raptors, Mathurin and the Clippers dominated, providing a much-needed boost as they approach the playoffs. In a post-game chat, Mathurin opened up about how the injury had affected his three-point shooting since the trade deadline, admitting he was forcing himself to play despite the pain.
Reflecting on his struggles, Mathurin noted, "It definitely had an impact on my shot. Every shot was short because I wasn't pushing on that toe."
Before the injury, Mathurin was shooting a solid 37.2% from beyond the arc with the Indiana Pacers, a figure comfortably above the league average. However, with the Clippers, that number plummeted to 18.3% before the game against the Raptors.
Now that Mathurin has had some time to recover, the Clippers are hopeful he can withstand the upcoming pressure of the playoffs. His role as the lead sixth man is crucial, especially when it comes to his effectiveness from long range.
The silver lining is that Mathurin’s shooting woes weren’t due to a slump. Despite his confident demeanor on the court, it seemed possible that the mental challenges of basketball were affecting his performance. How else could one explain the drastic drop in his three-point percentage right after switching teams?
Trade transitions can be tough, and it’s understandable that Mathurin might have felt the pressure. Fans remained optimistic, hoping he’d find his rhythm before the postseason began. Without his shooting prowess, the Clippers could face a significant disadvantage.
Fortunately, Mathurin returned with a strong performance, scoring 23 points, grabbing six rebounds, and dishing out four assists. He clarified that the inability to put pressure on his toes was the real culprit, not a mental slump.
Adding to the positive outlook, Mathurin nailed a promising three-pointer against the Raptors. His mechanics looked sharp, there was no hesitation, and he landed smoothly, all without any visible discomfort.
As the regular season winds down, all eyes will be on Mathurin. Fans are eager to see him maintain his health and avoid further injury, especially with the stakes so high. The Clippers need him at his best, and Mathurin seems ready to deliver.