MINNEAPOLIS — The injury-plagued Indiana Pacers, last season’s Eastern Conference champions, ruled leading scorer Bennedict Mathurin out of Sunday night’s matchup with the Minnesota Timberwolves after the guard sustained a right big-toe sprain in Saturday’s 128-103 loss at Memphis.
Mathurin scored 26 points in 28 minutes against the Grizzlies before leaving with the injury. Head coach Rick Carlisle told reporters in Minneapolis he has no timetable for the 23-year-old’s return.
Mathurin’s absence brings the Pacers’ unavailable list to seven. Rookie reserve Taelon Peter (strained right groin), starting point guard Andrew Nembhard (left shoulder strain) and backup guard Johnny Furphy (sore left foot) will also miss a second straight game.
Indiana’s long-term injuries include All-NBA guard Tyrese Haliburton, who tore his right Achilles tendon during the NBA Finals and is out for the season. Backup point guard T.J. McConnell (left hamstring strain) and rookie Kam Jones (lower-back stress reaction) remain sidelined as well.
The Pacers won their lone visit to Minnesota last season, edging the Timberwolves 132-130 in overtime despite missing four starters and finishing regulation without their top six scorers.
Source: ESPN
