Bennedict Mathurin’s Make-or-Break Season: Pacers’ Stance to Become Crystal Clear in 2025-26

The Indiana Pacers, coming off a surprising NBA Finals appearance in 2024-25, face a pivotal 2025-26 season marked by uncertainty. With star guard Tyrese Haliburton sidelined for the entire campaign due to a torn Achilles and long-time center Myles Turner departing for the Milwaukee Bucks, the Pacers are in a transitional “gap year,” as described by FanSided. Amid this upheaval, third-year wing Bennedict Mathurin emerges as a critical figure, with his performance poised to clarify his future with the franchise. Eligible for a rookie-scale contract extension and expected to start, Mathurin faces a make-or-break season that will answer lingering questions: Does coach Rick Carlisle trust him? Is he a long-term cornerstone or a potential trade chip? As Sporting News noted in September 2025, “The Pacers’ stance on Bennedict Mathurin will become crystal clear this season.” This article explores Mathurin’s journey, the Pacers’ roster challenges, his role in their retooling efforts, and why 2025-26 will define his legacy in Indiana.

Bennedict Mathurin’s Journey with the Pacers

Selected sixth overall in the 2022 NBA Draft out of Arizona, Bennedict Mathurin brought immediate scoring punch to the Pacers. The Canadian native, born June 19, 2002, in Montreal, averaged 16.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.5 assists as a rookie in 2022-23, earning All-Rookie First Team honors, per Basketball-Reference. His 43.4% field-goal shooting and 32.3% from three showcased his potential as a dynamic wing, though his efficiency and defense needed refinement. A torn labrum in March 2023 limited him to 78 games, but his 27-point outburst against Boston highlighted his scoring flair, per ESPN.

In 2023-24, Mathurin transitioned to a sixth-man role, averaging 14.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.0 assists in 59 games, shooting 44.6% from the field and 37.4% from three, per NBA.com. His efficiency improved, but a season-ending ankle injury in March 2024 sidelined him for the playoffs, where the Pacers reached the Eastern Conference Finals. In 2024-25, Mathurin’s role grew during Indiana’s Finals run, averaging 14.9 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.6 assists on 45.6% shooting, with a standout 26-point performance in Game 3 against Oklahoma City, per 8points9seconds.com. His playoff averages (12.8 points, 3.7 rebounds) underscored his clutch potential, though inconsistency and defensive lapses remained concerns, per IndyStar.

The Pacers’ Roster Challenges and “Gap Year”

The 2025-26 season presents unprecedented challenges for Indiana. Haliburton’s Achilles injury, sustained in Game 7 of the 2025 Finals, will keep him out until 2026-27, per beIN SPORTS. Turner’s departure to Milwaukee on a four-year, $108.9 million deal leaves a void at center, with Jay Huff, Isaiah Jackson, and James Wiseman as unproven options, per Sports Illustrated. These losses, coupled with the Pacers’ reluctance to cross the luxury tax threshold—a barrier they haven’t breached in two decades, per Forbes—have lowered expectations, with ESPN projecting a 40-42 record and a play-in berth.

The Pacers’ projected starting lineup—Andrew Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith, Mathurin, Pascal Siakam, and Huff—leans heavily on perimeter scoring and versatility, per NBA.com. With Haliburton absent, Mathurin is expected to take on a larger role, potentially starting at shooting guard or small forward. FanSided described the season as a “gap year,” an opportunity to experiment with young players like Mathurin, Johnny Furphy, and Jarace Walker to identify long-term contributors. Mathurin’s performance, as a 23-year-old eligible for a rookie-scale extension, will be pivotal in shaping Indiana’s future.

Mathurin’s Make-or-Break Season

Mathurin’s 2025-26 season is a defining moment for several reasons:

1. Contract Extension Talks: Eligible for a rookie-scale extension before his fourth season, Mathurin’s performance will determine whether the Pacers commit to a deal potentially exceeding $100 million, per Spotrac. A breakout year could secure his future, while inconsistency might make him a trade chip, per HoopsHype.
2. Increased Role: With Haliburton out and Turner gone, Mathurin is expected to start, potentially averaging 20+ points, per CBS Sports. His ability to create his own shot and improve his 36.0% three-point shooting (2024-25) will be critical, per 8points9seconds.com.
3. Carlisle’s Trust: Coach Rick Carlisle’s trust in Mathurin has been questioned, with IndyStar noting his bench role in 2023-24 despite starter-level production. Carlisle’s preference for veterans like T.J. McConnell and Nesmith over Mathurin in crunch time suggests a need for defensive improvement, per FanSided. A strong season could solidify his place in Carlisle’s system.
4. Trade Rumors: The Pacers’ financial caution and center crisis fuel speculation that Mathurin could be traded for a rim protector like Clint Capela or Wendell Carter Jr., per beIN SPORTS. His performance will determine whether Indiana views him as untouchable or expendable.

Sporting News emphasized, “Mathurin needs to show out next season,” as his ability to handle a larger role will clarify his long-term fit. A projected stat line of 18-20 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists, with improved defense, could cement him as a cornerstone alongside Siakam and a returning Haliburton, per Bleacher Report.

Mathurin’s Strengths and Areas for Growth

Mathurin’s strengths make him a tantalizing prospect. His 6-foot-6, 210-pound frame and athleticism allow him to attack the rim, drawing 3.2 free throws per game in 2024-25 (83.4% shooting), per ESPN. His scoring versatility—mid-range pull-ups, transition dunks, and spot-up threes—fits Indiana’s up-tempo offense, which ranked third in points per game (120.5) in 2024-25, per NBA.com. His 26-point Finals performance showcased his clutch ability, earning praise from Siakam, who told Forbes, “Ben’s got that dog in him. He’s fearless.”

However, Mathurin’s flaws require attention. His 36.0% three-point shooting, while improved, lags behind elite wings like Jayson Tatum (37.6%), per Basketball-Reference. Defensively, he struggles with lateral quickness, allowing 46.7% shooting to opponents in 2024-25, per NBA.com. His 1.6 turnovers per game reflect occasional recklessness, and Carlisle’s reluctance to play him in late-game situations suggests a lack of trust, per IndyStar. Improving his defense and decision-making will be key to earning a starring role.

The Pacers’ Strategic Outlook

Indiana’s refusal to pay the luxury tax, as noted by Forbes, reflects owner Herb Simon’s conservative approach. Turner’s $108.9 million deal with Milwaukee was deemed too costly, per Sports Illustrated, leaving the Pacers reliant on unproven centers like Huff (6.9 points, 40.2% from three) and Jackson (6.5 points, 1.0 blocks), per beIN SPORTS. This financial restraint, while preserving flexibility for 2026 when Haliburton returns, limits immediate contention hopes, per HoopsHype.

Mathurin’s role in this “gap year” is to prove he’s a foundational piece. His ability to complement Siakam (21.7 points) and Nesmith (15.7 playoff points) will determine Indiana’s ceiling, per 8points9seconds.com. The Pacers’ schedule, starting October 28, 2025, against Detroit, includes early tests against Milwaukee (featuring Turner) and Philadelphia, per NBA.com. Mathurin’s performance against elite wings like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Paul George will gauge his readiness, per ClutchPoints.

Fan and Media Reactions

Mathurin’s make-or-break season has sparked lively debate on X. @PacersFanatic tweeted, “Ben Mathurin’s about to go OFF this year. Time to show he’s a star ” @IndyHoops wrote, “If Carlisle trusts Mathurin, he’s our next big thing. If not, trade rumors incoming.” Media outlets are equally invested. FanSided called 2025-26 “a make-or-break one for Bennedict Mathurin’s career,” while IndyStar noted, “Fans are about to find out” if he’s a cornerstone. 8points9seconds.com praised his Finals performance, stating, “Mathurin’s 26 points in Game 3 showed he can handle the spotlight.”

Trade Chip or Cornerstone?

The Pacers’ stance on Mathurin hinges on his performance. A breakout season—potentially 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 40% three-point shooting—could lead to a five-year, $120 million extension, per Spotrac. Conversely, inconsistency or defensive struggles might make him a trade chip, especially with Indiana needing a center, per beIN SPORTS. Potential trade targets include Capela or Carter Jr., but moving Mathurin risks losing a high-upside wing, per HoopsHype. GM Chad Buchanan’s comments on Setting the Pace suggest optimism, but Carlisle’s trust will be decisive, per FanSided.

Mathurin’s Intangibles and Leadership

Mathurin’s fearless mentality, honed at Arizona under coach Tommy Lloyd, sets him apart. His ability to score in clutch moments, like his 26-point Finals game, draws comparisons to Jamal Murray, per Bleacher Report. His leadership, evident in mentoring younger teammates like Furphy, aligns with Indiana’s youth movement, per Forbes. However, earning Carlisle’s trust requires defensive improvement and consistency, as IndyStar noted his “occasional lapses” frustrate the coach.

The Broader Context

Indiana’s 2025-26 season is a proving ground for their young core, including Mathurin, Furphy, and Nembhard. The center crisis, exacerbated by Turner’s exit, puts pressure on Mathurin to provide secondary scoring, per Sporting News. A successful season could see him emerge as a co-star with Haliburton upon his return, forming a dynamic duo by 2026-27, per CBS Sports. Failure to meet expectations, however, could lead to trade talks, especially with Furphy’s rising stock, per 8points9seconds.com.

Bennedict Mathurin’s 2025-26 season will define his future with the Indiana Pacers, as Sporting News predicted: “The Pacers’ stance on Mathurin will become crystal clear.” With Haliburton sidelined and Turner gone, Mathurin’s expected starting role offers a chance to prove he’s a cornerstone, potentially averaging 20 points and earning a lucrative extension. His scoring versatility and clutch ability make him a key player to watch, but defensive lapses and Carlisle’s trust remain hurdles. As Indiana navigates a “gap year” to re-establish themselves as title contenders, Mathurin’s performance will answer whether he’s a long-term asset or a trade chip. With fans and analysts buzzing, as seen on X and in FanSided’s analysis, Mathurin’s make-or-break season will shape the Pacers’ future trajectory.