Bennedict Mathurin’s Latest NBA Showcase: Highlights, Key Stats & What It Means for the Pacers

Indiana Pacers rookie-turned-playoff-hero Bennedict Mathurin is seizing the 2025 NBA Finals spotlight, transforming from sixth-man spark plug to centerpiece of Indy’s title push. Wednesday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, the 22-year-old poured in 25 points in just 21 minutes, drilling five threes to propel the Pacers to a 2-1 series lead over the Oklahoma City Thunder. Second-year surge pays off Mathurin’s sophomore jump—18.4 PPG on 48 percent shooting during the regular season—has carried seamlessly into June. His fearless downhill attacks are forcing OKC’s perimeter defenders to collapse, opening clean looks for Tyrese Haliburton and Myles Turner. Through three Finals games he’s averaging: • 21.3 PPG • 56 percent from the field • 45 percent from beyond the arc • 6.0 RPG A Montréal friendship becomes a Finals duel Adding narrative fire is Mathurin’s head-to-head clash with childhood friend and fellow Montreal-North native Luguentz Dort. The two shared neighborhood courts before becoming Canada’s first duo to oppose each other in an NBA Finals. Both players credit their Haitian heritage for their competitive edge—an angle resonating with fans in Québec, Haiti, and the broader Caribbean diaspora. Keys to Mathurin’s breakout 1. Off-ball relocation: Constant corner-to-wing cuts are punishing OKC’s switches. 2. Free-throw reliability: He’s 19-for-19 this series, negating Thunder runs. 3. Defensive growth: Coach Rick Carlisle trusts him against Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in key stretches, a responsibility Mathurin seldom received as a rookie. What’s next Game 4 tips Friday night in Indianapolis, where a victory would push the Pacers within one win of their first championship since the ABA era. Expect the Thunder to trap Haliburton earlier and send doubles at Mathurin; Indy counters by running staggered screens that flare Mathurin to the weak-side arc—his new favorite hunting ground. If the Canadian-Haitian swingman maintains his efficiency, he could add “Finals MVP” to a résumé that already boasts All-Rookie honors and a Rising Stars MVP. For a franchise searching for its next Reggie Miller moment, Bennedict Mathurin’s coming-of-age story may be arriving right on time.