Bennedict Mathurin has now played 158 career games, and already, he is advantageously positioned in a debate which aims to identify the best Quebecer in the history of the NBA.
• Also read: This NBA team hasn’t won once in November
The 22-year-old athlete arrives in Toronto with his teammates from the Indiana Pacers (9-12) to face the Raptors (6-15) on Tuesday evening. Since the Toronto team comes to 25e ranked out of 30 teams for the highest number of points allowed per game this season, an average of 116.8, the opportunity seems good for Mathurin to once again demonstrate his offensive flair.
Since the start of the campaign, the player from Montreal North has had 10 games of 20 points or more, including a high of 38 points on November 10, in a game played in Indianapolis against the New York Knicks.
Bennedict Mathurin was on fire last November 10 in a game against the Knicks.
Photo MICHAEL HICKEY
“I simply took what the defense gave me,” commented Mathurin, quoted on the Pacers website at the end of this famous game. I throw the ball with confidence.”
And how? Mathurin notably made seven three-pointers in nine attempts in this match against the Knicks. For the entire season, the man who wears number 00 for the Pacers scored 37 baskets from outside the perimeter, posting a very good success rate of 43%.
“It’s not a surprise”
The Quebecer reached thirty points on another occasion this season, which brings his total to 8 games of 30 points or more in his career. Never seen before for a Quebecer in the NBA! Luguentz Dort and Chris Boucher, with five and three respectively, are the ones who follow him most closely, even if they have been in the professionals for longer.
“Honestly, it’s no surprise to anyone in this locker room,” teammate Tyrese Haliburton recently commented on Mathurin’s prowess. I think he’s just playing the right way, and he continues to grow as a player.”
This is precisely what is impressive in the case of Mathurin. Selected sixth overall in the 2022 draft, he is still very young and may only be showing a fraction of his full potential so far.
New record in sight
Slowly, but surely, Mathurin is improving his consistency, typically playing over 30 minutes per game. His average points per game stands at 18.5 after 21 games this season.
If Mathurin already finds himself in a class of his own among Quebecers having experienced games of 30 points or more, it is perhaps only a matter of time before he shatters the record for the most productive game for an athlete from La Belle Province in the NBA.
On April 13, 2021, in a 106-96 loss for the Oklahoma City Thunder against the Utah Jazz, “Lu Dort” collected 42 points. Still with the Thunder, Dort, 25, is averaging 10.1 points per game this season, who is more recognized for his defensive play. With the Raptors, Boucher also averaged 10.1 points per game, despite limited use.
- Not only does this Tuesday’s meeting between the Pacers and the Raptors count for the regular season standings, but it is also a game played as part of the NBA Cup, a tournament taking place within the season. The Indiana and Toronto clubs, however, each have a record of 0-3 currently in the group stage and are already mathematically eliminated from the competition, the grand final of which is scheduled for December 17 in Las Vegas.
Games of 30 points or more
Quebecers in the NBA
| Nom | Team | Matches played | Name |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bennedict Mathurin | Indiana Pacers | 158 | 8 |
| Luguentz there | Thunder d’Oklahoma City | 312 | 5* |
| Chris Boucher | Toronto Raptors | 378 | 3 |
| Samuel Dalembert | Milwaukee Bucks | 886 | 1 |
*Includes 30-point playoff performance on September 2, 2020, against the Houston Rockets.
Luguentz there
Photo ALEX SLITZ
Points and rebounds
If Quebecer Bennedict Mathurin impresses with his average of 18.5 points per game in the NBA this season, his great combativeness is reflected in another category in terms of statistics, that of rebounds.
Only center Myles Turner, who stands 6’11”, is ahead of him at this level among his Pacers teammates. Mathurin, who measures 6’6″, recovers an average of 6.8 balls per game under the baskets.
“He is efficient and physically tough,” praised his head coach Rick Carlisle, quoted on the Pacers website earlier this season.
Bennedict Mathurin shows great intensity on the court for the Indiana Pacers.
Photo JUSTIN CASTERLINE
On five occasions, Mathurin finished a game with 10 or more rebounds during the Pacers’ first 21 games of the season. Each time, the Quebecer scored 20 points or more.
Even if it is not his primary role, Mathurin therefore temporarily comes to 33e rank for the most rebounds (142) this season in the NBA. It even reaches 25e level for defensive rebounds, with 116.
Five double-doubles
Having won the title of MVP among rising stars at the NBA All-Star Game last February, Mathurin takes great pleasure in standing among the best players of his generation.
The most loyal basketball fans are also aware of the rivalry between the Quebecer and the American Jaden Ivey, of the Detroit Pistons, since the latter was chosen fifth overall in the 2022 draft, one place ahead of Mathurin.
This season, Ivey is just behind Mathurin in points per game average, with 18.4. Ivey, however, only has 4.3 rebounds per game. The Pistons player, however, has the upper hand over Mathurin in the assists category. Due to his efficiency in scoring and under the basket, the Quebecer nevertheless has five double-doubles compared to none for Ivey in 2024-2025. Remember that a double-double is achieved when a player obtains at least 10 units in 2 different categories of personal statistics, including points, rebounds and assists.
