How long is Bennedict Mathurin out? Shoulder injury timeline, return date, latest updates on Pacers sixth man

Scott Rafferty

How long is Bennedict Mathurin out? Shoulder injury timeline, return date, latest updates on Pacers sixth man image

Add the Pacers to the list of teams that aren't at full strength in the 2024 NBA Playoffs.

While Indiana has its two most important players in uniform in Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam, it is without Bennedict Mathurin, the team's No. 1 scoring option off the bench.

Mathurin has been sidelined since early March with a shoulder injury. Initially, there was hope that it wouldn't be a long-term issue, but the 21-year-old has since undergone surgery.

How long will the Pacers be without Mathurin? Here's everything you need to know about his injury.

MORE: Complete list of winners for NBA's end-of-season awards

What is Bennedict Mathurin's injury?

Mathurin is out with a torn labrum in his right shoulder.

The Canadian suffered the injury in Indiana's win over Dallas on March 5 when he collided with P.J. Washington while chasing after a loose ball.

Here's the play Mathurin got injured on:

Mathurin returned to the game, finishing with 19 points in 25 minutes. Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle said afterward that they hoped it would be a relatively short injury, but four days later, the Pacers announced that Mathurin's shoulder required surgery.

How long is Bennedict Mathurin out?

Mathurin will miss the remainder of the 2023-24 season, the Pacers announced, so he won't be available for the 2024 NBA Playoffs. He is expected to make a full recovery ahead of the 2024-25 season.

The Pacers selected Mathurin with the No. 6 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. Following an impressive rookie season that saw him earn votes for Rookie of the Year and Sixth Man of the Year, Mathurin was Indiana's fourth-leading scorer in 2023-24, averaging 14.5 points per game.

Mathurin appeared in 59 of the team's 63 this season before suffering the shoulder injury, 19 of which he started. 

Pacers vs. Bucks schedule, TV channels

Date Game/Results Time (ET)/Result TV channel
April 21 Bucks 109, Pacers 94 7 p.m. TNT, Sling
April 23 Pacers 125, Bucks 108 8:30 p.m. NBA TV, Sling
April 26 Pacers 121, Bucks 118 (OT) 5:30 p.m. ESPN, Sling
April 28 Game 4 7 p.m. TNT, Sling
April 30 Game 5 TBD TBD
May 2 Game 6* TBD TBD
May 4 Game 7* TBD TBD

* If necessary

Bennedict Mathurin stats 2023-24

  • 14.5 points per game
  • 4.0 rebounds per game
  • 2.0 assists per game
  • 0.6 steals per game
  • 0.2 blocks per game
  • 1.6 turnovers per game
  • 44.6 percent field goal shooting
  • 37.4 percent 3-point shooting
  • 82.1 percent free throw shooting

If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Learn more >

Scott Rafferty

Scott Rafferty Photo

 

Scott Rafferty is an experienced NBA journalist who first started writing for The Sporting News in 2017. There are few things he appreciates more than a Nikola Jokic no-look pass, Klay Thompson heat check or Giannis Antetokounmpo eurostep. He's a member of the NBA Global team.