During Game 1 of the Rising Stars competition, Bennedict Mathurin showcased his lively spirit on the court.
Representing Team Jalen, the Indiana Pacers’ wing engaged in some playful banter aimed at his Team Tamika counterpart, Jaden Ivey, in an attempt to rattle him.
Mathurin seized the moment after drawing a shooting foul on the perimeter against the Detroit Pistons guard when the score stood at 32-26, delivering a bit of trash talk: “Even in the Rising Stars game, you can’t guard me,” Mathurin quipped to Ivey.
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Explaining his approach to the opening contest, Mathurin referenced the fact that Ivey was selected fifth overall in the 2022 draft, just before Mathurin went sixth to the Pacers. Speaking to the TNT panel after securing the Rising Stars event victory and earning MVP honors for Team Jalen, Mathurin expressed his admiration for competing against Ivey: “I love playing against him. My challenge is to always bring my best against him, you know. He was drafted ahead of me… I feel like he brings the best out of me every time we compete against each other. So, there’s no hate.”
Mathurin’s antics in Game 1 didn’t stop there.
With a chance to secure victory from the free-throw line, he raised the stakes by betting opposing forward Paolo Banchero $25,000 that he would make both free throws. Unfortunately, Mathurin missed both attempts.
However, the 21-year-old quickly bounced back from the disappointment. He contributed 18 points overall and immediately redeemed himself by sinking a fadeaway game-winner, propelling Team Jalen to the final.
