Even in defeat, Bennedict Mathurin saved Pacers from same dread
The Pacers are 1-13 but showed signs of progress in Detroit.
DETROIT – The Indiana Pacers have lost eight times in a row. It's just the 16th time that's happened in franchise history and fifth this century. The going has been tough – they're just the 11th team in NBA history to lose six-straight games by 15+ points. Their cumulative scoring margin across those half-dozen outings is -140, making it the 55th worst six-game stretch ever (amazingly, this has happened nine times in 2025).
Their most recent defeat came in Detroit – a 15-point loss to the mighty Pistons, who have won 11 in a row. And yet, I walked out of Little Caesars Arena thinking that the Pacers just showed more than they have in any of their last half-dozen games. The team produced silver linings in a way they hadn't in almost two weeks.
Bennedict Mathurin can be thanked for much of that. The fourth-year guard played for the first time in 11 games and started off with a rough half as he searched for rhythm. Head coach Rick Carlisle also used that term, rough, to describe the first two quarters as Mathurin had three fouls in 10.5 minutes of play. He missed all of his shots. But the second half changed everything.
Mathurin, as he does, drew a foul 35 seconds into the third quarter. That sent him to the foul line for his first points of the half. He just never stopped. He had nine points in the third quarter, then 11 points in 107 seconds to start the fourth. There were other baskets mixed in along the way, but the fourth-year guard found his groove and was making everything. His spirit in huddles and in a conversation with a fan was obvious – he helped the Pacers close the gap with Detroit, making the game competitive at times in the second half.
Simply, Mathurin lifted his team from malaise. When their offense is sputtering, the former lottery pick can get it going in basically any environment. When his jumper is working, he's hard to stop. The Pistons and their nearly top-rated defense couldn't slow him down.
"He gave us a spark," Isaiah Jackson said postgame. "I think energy is everything... One guy gets going, it sort of gives us a spark. I think that's all you need."
Mathurin certainly did that. His flurry to open the fourth quarter lifted the spirit of his team and guided them to a 37-point quarter. It was the first time the Pacers had won a single frame since the second quarter of their game in Denver on November 8. It had been a while, and Mathurin's offense made it possible.
In the second half, the 2022 lottery pick finished with 23 points on 7/13 shooting. In that way, he was excellent, and he added three boards and two assists throughout the night. He, like the rest of the team, struggled with turnovers and fouls – two areas he would love to clean up.
But his surge was something the team has been missing. Pascal Siakam is averaging 25 points per game this season, but his points come via more of a slow drip. Four points here, three more there. 12 in each half. Steady, yet important, dominance.
Mathurin can break a defense's will with 10 points in a flash. That's something the Pacers have been missing, and it clearly added to their play on Monday night. The typical routine of recent Pacers games was shaken up by the burst Mathurin provided. They actually won a quarter and weren't down 20+ for the entire final period. In the second frame, the Pacers had a 14-0 run – that's new for them outside of the start of games.
That was all different from the last four-ish games for the Pacers, and it was thanks to both Mathurin's production and inspiration. "Third quarter, he caught a rhythm. He had a great stretch in the second half, which was great to see," Carlisle said postgame.
So, yes, in the end it was a 15-point loss and that's how the game will be remembered. But the Pacers showed fight and were able to make sporadic surges in Detroit. Progress was obvious in the arena. Mathurin encouraged much of it.
Jeremiah Robinson-Earl approaches end of contract
This section is really about two things. The first one is as the header suggests – Robinson-Earl signed a hardship 10-day contract on November 11, his second with the Pacers. That deal will expire at the end of Thursday. He has one game left covered by that agreement.
The fifth-year forward has certainly been useful. He started three times and deserved all of them, and his work on the glass has been impactful. Defensively, he moves well. 6.7 rebounds per game doesn't just happen. Carlisle continues to turn to the wing player – he played more than 20 minutes in Detroit.
Robinson-Earl had four points and nine rebounds against the Pistons. He and Ben Sheppard were the only two reserves to log over 20 minutes of action. That's all to say... the Pacers could want to keep him beyond his current contract.
NBA players are limited to two standard 10-day contracts with a team during one season, and that same rule applies to hardship 10-day deals. That means Robinson-Earl is not eligible for another 10-day contract on Friday despite the Pacers possibly being granted another hardship deal due to the absences of Aaron Nesmith (contributes to their eligibility after Pacers vs Hornets), Tyrese Haliburton, Kam Jones, Johnny Furphy, and Obi Toppin. It's technically possible the team is granted two hardship deals at some point this week.
Despite Robinson-Earl not being eligible for a 10-day agreement, the Pacers should still explore ways to keep him, in my opinion. When the Pacers originally signed Monte Morris, it made good sense – they needed point guard help with Andrew Nembhard returning and T.J. McConnell still out. Now, both of those players are back. Morris has been limited to garbage time in his last two outings.
Would the team consider waiving Morris for Robinson-Earl? Having point guard depth is sensible, this isn't an easy decision. Quenton Jackson is sidelined, too. But the Pacers should at least explore this route. Robinson-Earl is still young (just 25) and can contribute – he's the exact type of player a 1-13 team looking for potential long-term depth pieces should be observing.
Noblesville Boom guard Kyle Guy named to Team USA World Cup Qualifying Team
Boom guard and Pacers Exhibit 10 signee Kyle Guy was will be a part of the 12-man Team USA roster for World Cup Qualifying this month. The roster was announced on Tuesday.
Guy has been one of the Boom's best players this season and is averaging north of 22 points per game. As an ex-coach, his leadership has been important for the banged-up, struggling group – they are 0-6 to start the season. But Guy's play is being rewarded with National team opportunities.
Former Pacers forward Torrey Craig is also on the Team USA squad, as are former Mad Ants players Nate Hinton (played for Pacers) and Pedro Bradshaw. They'll begin training camp on Friday in Miami, then play two games the following week.
Guy will miss at least three Boom games due to his National team call-up. The Boom have been injured and will need to add talent (looks like that will be Kenan Blackshear), but this is not new for the Noblesville front office. They learned how to manage when Jordan Bell, Elfrid Payton, and Justin Anderson received Team USA calls in the past. It will be tougher for this winless group, but they'll manage. And what an opportunity for Guy.
He's been the Boom's energy giver like Mathurin proved he could be for the Pacers. The blue and gold will hope that energy can lead them to win number two tonight with the Charlotte Hornets in town.
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Tony East
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