« You will be a starter »: Carlisle’s confidence in Bennedict Mathurin chosen to take over from Haliburton at the Pacers
Mar 26, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin (00) shoots the ball while Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes (11) defends in the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
The Indiana Pacers have found their solution to replace Tyrese Haliburton in the starting lineup. Rick Carlisle officially announced that Bennedict Mathurin will be the new starting shooting guard for the 2025-2026 season, a logical promotion following the extended absence of the team’s star.
It’s about damn time: Bennedict Mathurin is going to start for the Pacers this season.
My Most Improved Player pick.
(via @C2_Cooper, h/t @Fullcourtpass) pic.twitter.com/kcpzI2VD1T
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) August 5, 2025
« I’m going to announce it here exclusively: I expect him to be our starting shooting guard next season, » stated the Pacers’ coach. « I’ve already let him know. I was on the phone with his agent and him four days ago and told him he would be in the starting five from day one of the season, that this was now the role he had to defend. »
A golden opportunity for the Canadian
This promotion comes in a particular context, with Tyrese Haliburton out for the entire 2025-2026 season following his Achilles tendon rupture suffered during Game 7 of the last NBA Finals. The Pacers’ star, who underwent surgery on June 23, continues his rehabilitation with a walking boot and crutches.
For Bennedict Mathurin, this appointment comes as no surprise. The Canadian player already has solid experience as a starter with 85 starts in 209 possible career games. His statistics as a starter are actually slightly better: averaging 16.4 points on 46% shooting including 36% from 3-point range, compared to 15.5 points on 44% shooting (33% from 3-point range) coming off the bench.
Last season, Mathurin averaged 16.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.9 assists in 30 minutes over 72 games. The 2025-2026 season will represent a crucial turning point for the 22-year-old player, who is entering his final year of his rookie contract. The Pacers have also obtained a $14 million envelope to potentially recruit an additional player to compensate for Haliburton’s absence.
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