TITLE: Mathurin’s 31 Points Lead Pacers Highlights; Suns Wrap China Tour; Shannon Targets Bigger Timberwolves Role
SLUG: mathurin-erupts-pacers-suns-china-tour-shannon-timberwolves-role
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INDIANAPOLIS — Bennedict Mathurin scored 31 points on 11-for-12 shooting Monday night, but the Indiana Pacers fell to the San Antonio Spurs, 124-108. The third-year guard was a perfect 9-for-9 in the first half, underscoring the franchise’s view of him as a primary scorer while All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton remains out for the season.
Forward Pascal Siakam finished with 17 points and rookie Jarace Walker added 12. Indiana’s already thin bench struggled, especially in the frontcourt, where reserve centers combined to miss all 10 of their shot attempts. Newly signed guard Cameron Payne scored his first 10 points with the Pacers after a scoreless debut, but the second unit was heavily outscored.
Suns Back From Macao
PHOENIX — The Suns returned to Arizona after splitting two preseason games against the Brooklyn Nets in Macao. Phoenix won the Oct. 10 opener in overtime, 132-127, before dropping the rematch, 111-109, moving to 2-1 in exhibition play. Head coach Jordan Ott called the week-long trip “pretty cool,” noting it was the first overseas experience for several players.
The Suns host the Los Angeles Lakers in Tuesday’s preseason finale. Offseason acquisitions Jalen Green (hamstring strain) and Mark Williams, who is on a structured strength program after arriving in a trade from Charlotte, have yet to appear but both expect to debut on Oct. 22 against the Sacramento Kings. “I’ll be playing opening night,” Williams said. “I’ll be ready for that.”
Shannon Emerges in Minnesota
MINNEAPOLIS — Second-year guard Terrence Shannon Jr. is positioning himself for a regular role with the Minnesota Timberwolves after the departure of Nickeil Alexander-Walker. “I feel like I’m better all around,” Shannon said, adding that his rookie season taught him the league’s speed and coaching expectations.
Shannon provided energy during last spring’s Western Conference Finals and spent the offseason guarding Anthony Edwards in daily workouts. “When you’re playing Ant every day, you’re ready for anybody,” he said. Minnesota envisions the 6-foot-6 guard filling Alexander-Walker’s former two-way assignment of perimeter defense, transition play and spot-up shooting.
Source: Hoops Wire
