There was something beautiful, even inspiring, in watching Bennedict Mathurin and Luguentz Dort move in front of each other for a jump ball in the closing seconds of the second quarter between the Indiana Pacers and the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday.
The two Quebecers, good friends moreover, faced each other for the second time this season, but the image was not less strong. They are young, they are Montrealers, and they are both key elements of their respective teams…
In the last meeting between the two teams, in January, Oklahoma City had the upper hand by 20 points; the two Montrealers had also exchanged their jerseys after the meeting. Now the Pacers and Mathurin got revenge in front of their fans on Friday, despite the absence of Tyrese Haliburton and Myles Turner. They won it 121-117, robbing their opponents of two precious points in the hunt for the playoffs.
Undoubtedly many to be listening, Quebec fans were treated to a good duel between the two Quebecers. Mathurin, already an important offensive ingredient of the Pacers, has also often faced the imposing Dort, defensive treasure of the Thunder, in one against one.
No doubt motivated to avenge his people, Mathurin nevertheless quickly made his presence felt offensively by scoring 10 points in the first two quarters. In 19:14 of play, he had made 80% of his shot attempts and three rebounds as the Pacers led 65-61.
Dort, more discreet offensively early in the game, scored 8 points in the third quarter alone. On the other side of the field, he was solid throughout the game, collecting 7 defensive rebounds and limiting Mathurin to just five other points for a total of 15. The young Pacers star was nevertheless at the origin of a superb defensive game at the very end of the match, preventing the Thunder from equalizing in the last seconds.
Beyond the result, this clash was above all another reminder to young Quebec basketball players that anything is possible; the dream of the NBA is indeed accessible. Mathurin and Dort, aged 20 and 23 respectively, are proof of this.
Mathurin was playing his first season in the NBA this year. The first-round pick in the last draft did not disappoint; from his first games, he took advantage of the confidence given to him by his coach Rick Carlisle to show his natural ability to rush to the basket. In his seventh game, he scored 32 points in a Pacers win over the Brooklyn Nets.
The young man exudes confidence, and it shows every time he steps on the pitch. “I always thought I was going to come here and I’m not surprised to be here,” he told La Presse after his very first game in the NBA in October. I worked for it and I want to make sure I stay as long as possible. »
The young player’s offensive production varied from game to game; he still averaged 16.6 points per game, which ranks second among league rookies. He also maintained an 82.5% free throw percentage (340 in 412 attempts!). That’s not to mention the record he broke on Wednesday: he became the rookie with most three-pointers in Pacers history. His impact within the team will be great, and for a long time.
As for Dort, this season was the first of his five-year, $87.5 million contract. With his 17.5 million per year, he is, it should be remembered, the highest paid Quebec athlete, all sports combined.
Never drafted, the No. 5 has seen his defensive role solidify this season, as the Thunder’s rebuilding efforts have already begun to bear fruit. Dort was therefore less productive offensively; it is his defensive game which, thanks in particular to his physique and his quick footwork, makes him a must in Oklahoma City for the coming seasons.
While the Pacers can no longer dream of a place in the playoffs, the Thunder is still in the race to take part in the play-in tournament (dam game).
