Clippers Acquire Mathurin, Who Looks to Prove Himself

Bennedict Mathurin traded from Pacers to Clippers, eager to show his full potential

Feb. 23, 2026 at 6:47pm

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The Indiana Pacers traded guard Bennedict Mathurin to the LA Clippers at the NBA trade deadline, with Mathurin joining a Clippers team that desperately needs his scoring punch. Mathurin, the 6th overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, was struggling to get consistent playing time in Indiana but is excited for the opportunity to showcase his skills in Los Angeles.

Why it matters

The trade gives Mathurin a chance to prove himself on a bigger stage with the Clippers, who are looking to bolster their roster for a playoff push. Mathurin was a highly touted prospect coming out of college and the trade could be a turning point in his young career.

The details

Mathurin was traded to the Clippers in a package that included Isaiah Jackson and draft picks, with the Pacers receiving center Ivica Zubac in return. Mathurin has had a solid start to his NBA career, averaging 16.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game, but was struggling to get consistent playing time in Indiana. The Clippers are hoping Mathurin can provide a scoring boost as they make a push for the playoffs.

  • Mathurin was traded to the Clippers at the NBA trade deadline in February 2026.
  • Mathurin had his second practice with the Clippers on Wednesday, February 19, 2026.

The players

Bennedict Mathurin

A 6-foot-5 guard who was the 6th overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft by the Indiana Pacers. He was traded to the LA Clippers in February 2026.

Ivica Zubac

A center for the LA Clippers who was traded to the Indiana Pacers in the deal that sent Mathurin to the Clippers.

Tyrese Haliburton

Mathurin's former teammate on the Indiana Pacers, a young star point guard.

Kawhi Leonard

A superstar forward and one of Mathurin's new teammates on the LA Clippers.

Darius Garland

Another star player that Mathurin will be playing with on the LA Clippers.

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What they’re saying

“It's been great so far. I think we have great guys on the team. Everybody is pretty familiar with my game. So it kind of helps a lot. I think that there's still a lot more to do and still a lot more to learn with the system, offensively, defensively, and especially off the court as well.”

— Bennedict Mathurin

“I think it's just about me being myself. I just feel like Ty Lue is going to give me the chance to really go out there and play my game without any restrictions. So, I think that's the biggest, that's the biggest jump is going to be for me, especially playing with with great players like Kawhi and [Darius Garland] and the rest of the guys on the team, which is going to allow me to short even more.”

— Bennedict Mathurin

“I'd just say my aggressiveness. I think that [there are some] wrong narratives about me, that I can't play defense. But people, the people that need to know I play defense, know that I play defense. So, just going out there and doing my job on that end of the floor and just being there for my teammates.”

— Bennedict Mathurin

What’s next

Mathurin and the Clippers will kick off the second half of the season with a back-to-back set against the Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Lakers. The Clippers don't leave California for two weeks after that, giving Mathurin time to get acclimated with his new team.

The takeaway

The trade to the Clippers gives Bennedict Mathurin a fresh start and a chance to prove himself on a bigger stage. With more consistent playing time and the opportunity to play alongside stars like Kawhi Leonard and Darius Garland, Mathurin has the potential to take a big leap in his development and establish himself as a key part of the Clippers' future.