INGLEWOOD, Calif. – The LA Clippers begin the post-All-Star break portion of their season with a matchup against the powerful Denver Nuggets, led by three-time MVP Nikola Jokic. The game got off to a bad start for the Clippers. That is, until Benedict Mathurin checked in.
Denver blew a 13-4 lead over the Clippers in Thursday night's contest, trapping Kawhi Leonard 30 feet from the basket and forcing him to make other players. Benedict Mathurin checked in midway through the third quarter and immediately contributed 11 points off the bench in six minutes of the first quarter.
This was a far cry from the Mathurin everyone saw debuting for the Clippers against the Houston Rockets a week ago, and it was exactly what the Clippers needed against the Nuggets.
"We had a conversation during the first game in Houston," head coach Tyronn Lue said of Benedict Mathurin. "I thought he was really passive, turned down some shots, wasn't aggressive. I pulled him to the sideline during a timeout and told him, 'You've got to be aggressive, you've got to be who you are, and we'll figure out the rest.' We needed everything we got tonight. “He’s aggressive, getting to the basket, getting to the free throw line and making some big shots for us.”
Mathurin not only made a strong start to the Clippers' offense and did not give up all night. In his third game since the trade deadline deal that traded him to the Indiana Pacers, Benedict Mathurin recorded a Clippers franchise record for points in a home debut. The Clippers guard led the way with 38 points on 12-of-22 shooting from the field and 12-of-13 from the free throw line.
“Man, this is going to be awesome [playing for Tyronn Lue]," Mathurin said after the win. He could be my best friend. He told me to be aggressive, man. He told me to be myself, and I feel like he really knows my game. He really knows what I can do. It's been a pleasure to have him as a coach. And I think by bringing everybody together, we can do a lot of great things."
Kawhi Leonard, who was battling an illness, recorded 23 points, four rebounds and three assists, but saw double-teams and traps all night by the Nuggets defense that made it difficult for him to find a rhythm. However, he had a 10-point third quarter that helped the Clippers clinch the win in the minutes that Benedict Mathurin was off the field.
“Business went so fast, man,” Mathurin said. "I found time to talk [Kawhi] A little bit, just to meet him after the All-Stars. Great boy! We're trying to build that relationship as quickly as possible so we can make a deep run in the playoffs.
Mathurin started the game with 11 points in the opening period and finished his 38-point performance with 16 points in the final frame.
"It's fun to see how happy my teammates were for me," Mathurin said after the win. "Just winning, actually winning my second game with the team. So far, so good."
Mathurin recorded his second straight game with double-digit free throw attempts, repeatedly displaying the ability to take contact, finish through contact and get to the free throw line.
"I think I've always been aggressive, just getting to the rim," Mathurin said after the win. "That's one of my biggest strengths. So I think, you know, just knowing when to take a shot or be aggressive is kind of the difference between those two."
In three games so far with the Clippers, Benedict Mathurin has averaged 21 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 3.0 steals in 30 minutes per game.
The Clippers are back in action on Friday night when they take on the Los Angeles Lakers inside Staples Center, the second game of a back-to-back set.
