Clippers' Mathurin Struggles in First Games

0:00For the NBA, it's March 2nd. Here's what's happening. Make sure you're subscribed so you never miss an update. The Los Angeles Clippers shook things up at the 2026 NBA trade deadline by trading for Benedict Matherin. They aimed to move away from their older stars like James Hardin, Kawaii Leonard, and Eva Kazubak toward a younger lineup. Maturen, a 23-year-old guy from the Indiana Pacers, was supposed to anchor that shift. In his first seven games with the Clippers, Matherin is putting up 19 points, six rebounds, and three assists per game. He had a standout night with 38 points against the Denver Nuggets. But those highs come with lows. Like poor shooting at just 39.4% from the field, and 18.5% from three, Clippers fans are getting frustrated early. Maturen's games often feature sloppy play, with turnovers averaging 2.3 per contest, sometimes as many as six in one outing. His assist to turnover ratio sits at 1.31, and he struggles to space the floor or adapt when defenses clamp down.

1:03This isn't new for Matherin, which is why Indiana dealt him before he hits restricted free agency this summer. Teams around Malik undervalue high-volume scores like him, who lack efficiency. Much like Cam Thomas did last year when he took a qualifying. Offer. Now the Clippers face a tough call on whether to commit big money long-term. The same issues that play to him in Indiana have followed to Los Angeles, leaving everyone wondering if the scoring bursts justify the risks. This episode is brought to you in partnership with our sponsor. Your favorite podcasts, music, or sleep sounds coming from your pillow. No earbuds, no distractions, just listen and relax.