Former Pacers Star Believes He Gets Warm Reception In Return

Getty

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – JANUARY 31: Jay Huff #32 of the Indiana Pacers and Bennedict Mathurin #00 of the Indiana Pacers high-five against the Atlanta Hawks during the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on January 31, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Bobby Goddin/Getty Images)

The Indiana Pacers made the bold decision to trade Bennedict Mathurin to the Clippers. He, along with Isaiah Jackson and two first-round picks, was traded to LA in exchange for Ivica Zubac and Kobe Brown. Zubac has yet to play for Indiana.

Meanwhile, Mathurin is already becoming a key player off the Clippers’ bench. He started playing pretty much immediately. With Mathurin on the roster, Los Angeles believes they can make a push to make the playoffs. Meanwhile, the Pacers are tanking.

The next game for Mathurin is against the Pacers. He talked about his feelings on his return to Indy, as well as the reception he expects to get.

GettyIndiana Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin drives the ball. (Photo by Brian Fluharty/Getty Images)

Former Pacers Star Bennedict Mathurin Has Only Love for Indy

Mathurin says that he only has love for the Pacers as the team that drafted him out of Arizona.

“It’s going to be fun. A lot of fun. I had a great time over there for three-and-a-half years. There’s no hate towards both parties. Pretty much, pure love, you know what I’m saying? I was 20 years old when I got drafted over there. It’s pretty much all I know when it comes to the NBA.”

Mathurin also acknowledged that it’s good for him to be on a different team at this stage in his career.

“It’s good to be on a different part of the game right now, on a different team being able to compete against my team. It’s going to be fun, man. I’m looking forward to having a lot of fun and just to compete.”

Mathurin was the sixth overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. He played significant minutes for the Pacers in his career with the team, including the NBA Finals a year ago. After they decided not to offer him a contract extension in the offseason, it was almost inevitable that he was going to be moved.

GettyLos Angeles Clippers guard Bennedict Mathurin drives the ball. (Photo by Luiza Moraes/Getty Images)

The Pacers Will Give Bennedict Mathurin a Warm Reception

Mathurin will likely get a nice reception from both the Pacers players and the crowd. He was a well-liked player while he was in Indiana, and the fans liked him, too. Indiana has the worst offense in the league, so they have continued to struggle without his shot-creation.

Part of the reason Indiana moved on from Mathurin is the hope they will have a top-four draft pick in this draft. They can essentially draft his replacement, and that player will likely have a higher ceiling than Mathurin. This trade worked well for all parties.

Mathruin has a shot to make the playoffs this year, which is not something he had a shot to do if he were still in Indiana. He quickly becomes one of the most experienced NBA playoff performers on the Clippers’ roster, along with Kawhi Leonard. The only other high-minute player on their roster who has played in the Finals is Derrick Jones Jr.

Ryan Stano Ryan Stano covers the NBA for Heavy.com. He has been covering sports since 2017, covering the NFL, College Football, College Basketball, and the NBA. His work has been featured on Yahoo, Bleacher Report, FanSided, and Sports Illustrated. More about Ryan Stano