Bennedict Mathurin put up a historic stat line in the Indiana Pacers' season opener against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday night.

Going into the game, it was the Pacers' first regular-season game without star guard Tyrese Haliburton. He tore his Achilles in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals against the Thunder, which will keep him out for the entire 2025-26 season.

With this situation, it required the other talents on Indiana's squad to step up, which had Mathurin take over the spotlight. In 45 minutes of action, he finished with a performance of 36 points, 11 rebounds and an assist. He shot 9-of-19 from the field, including 3-of-8 from beyond the arc, and 15-of-17 from the free-throw line.

Mathurin accomplished a franchise feat with his display, per StatMuse. He became the firs

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