Bennedict

Mathurin

Mathurin led the Pacers in scoring as Indiana lost Game 5 by 17 points to the Knicks. The 22-year-old played 25 minutes off the bench, by far the most he’s played in these playoffs. Mathurin has scored 43 points in 37 minutes over the last two games. He figures to be involved once again as the Pacers will look to close out the series at home in Game 6 on Saturday.

Nesmith was also questionable for Game 4, but played 32 minutes as the Pacers took a commanding 3-1 lead in the series. The 25-year-old small forward was the hero in the Pacers’ Game 1 victory and is poised to play through the ankle injury once again in Game 5. Bennedict Mathurin and Ben Sheppard could see extra minutes off the bench if Nesmith is limited in any way or re-aggravates the injury.

Despite spraining his right ankle during the second half of Game 3, Nesmith started and played 32 minutes in Tuesday’s Game 4 victory. Fans should operate under the assumption that he’ll play on Thursday as the Pacers look to earn their first trip to the NBA Finals since 2000. If Nesmith is limited or cannot play, Bennedict Mathurin and Ben Sheppard will be of greater importance to the Pacers, with one moving into the starting lineup.

Mathurin has only played sparingly in these playoffs but gave the Pacers a shot in the arm with his play off the bench in Game 4 on Tuesday. The 22-year-old small forward had 20 points in just 12 minutes off the bench. Mathurin excelled at getting to the free throw line as he made 11-of-12 free throws. Ben Sheppard has cut into Mathurin’s minutes in these playoffs and that will likely continue. While Mathurin was more effective in Game 4, Sheppard has also been a key role player for the Pacers during this playoff run.

Nesmith sprained his right ankle during the third quarter of Sunday’s Game 3, as he landed on Jalen Brunson’s foot after attempting a shot. While he did return to the game during the fourth quarter after getting the ankle retaped, Dustin Dopirak of the Indianapolis Star reported that Nesmith was in pain when he woke up Monday morning. The expectation is that he’ll be a game-time decision for Game 4. While Bennedict Mathurin has been Nesmith’s injury replacement in the past, Ben Sheppard may be a better fit due to his superior defensive ability. No Nesmith would also mean Andrew Nembhard would be asked to defend Jalen Brunson more.

Mathurin has been getting into it with De’Andre Hunter all series, and more of the same resulted in an early departure for Mathurin, who scored 23 points in Game 3. Mathurin gave Hunter a shot to the chest, and Hunter retaliated by pushing Mathurin on the ground. Myles Turner gave Hunter a shoulder to defend Mathurin, and both Hunter and Turner were assessed technicals. However, Mathurin, who stood over Hunter after he dislocated his thumb in Game 1, was assessed a Flagrant 2. Ben Sheppard will likely take on extra minutes after Mathurin’s night lasted only one minute.

On Friday, Mathurin was Indiana’s most effective scorer, shooting over 50 percent from the field and reaching double figures for the third straight game. The negative for those viewing his performance through a fantasy lens is that Mathurin did not provide much beyond points, three-pointers and percentages. That was an issue for him in previous seasons, but Mathurin was slightly better during this past regular season. His production will be key in this series regardless of the fantasy implications. Game 4 is on Sunday, with the Pacers holding a 2-1 lead.

After scoring at least 14 points in the final four games of Indiana’s first-round win over Milwaukee, Nesmith got his second round off to an excellent start. He shot 4-of-6 from beyond the arc, with only Andrew Nembhard making more three-pointers for the Pacers in this one. In a timeshare with Bennedict Mathurin (11/5/1/0/1 with three three-pointers in 23 minutes), Nesmith provided more value than many may have expected in Game 1. The Pacers will need more performances like this to eliminate the team with the best record in the East.

Nesmith suffered a lower back bruise during the Pacers’ Game 4 victory in Milwaukee, but he was able to return after a brief exit. He’s been upgraded to available for Game 5 and will occupy his usual place in the starting lineup. With Bennedict Mathurin (abdominals) also available, the Pacers will have their full rotation as they look to close out the Damian Lillard-less Bucks.

Mathurin is available after sitting out Indiana’s Game 4 victory in Milwaukee. His return will likely result in fewer minutes for fellow reserve Ben Sheppard. Sheppard, who re-entered the Pacers’ rotation in Game 3 after Andrew Nembhard landed in early foul trouble, played 22 minutes in Game 4.