INGLEWOOD, Calif. — The Los Angeles Clippers has secured a spot in the play-in tournament after a 6-21 start to the season.
Los Angeles finished the season 42-40 after their rough start. The final win in the season finale helped the Clippers secure their franchise-record streak of 15 seasons with a record above .500, the longest active run in the NBA and fourth-longest in league history.
In the 115-110 win against the Golden State Warriors, Bennedict Mathurin had 20 points, nine rebounds and eight assists off the bench in what was sort of a “bounce back” game for the fourth year pro.
The former Indiana Pacer who was acquired at the deadline in a trade that sent center Ivica Zubac to Indiana.
Mathurin started his Clipper career on fire by averaging 23 points, 6 rebounds and 3.2 assists in his first five games with the team. He followed that up by averaging 19 points and 5.4 rebounds in March showing the ability the Clippers desired to help the team to continue their success.
“Being in attack mode is when he is at his best,” Clippers coach Tyronn Lue said. “When he can get downhill by pushing the ball and make the right play helps us be successful.”
Since Mathurin’s hot start his play has trended downward. In April, Mathurin’s numbers dipped to 10.3 points, five rebound and 3.5 assists. His play truly affected the team’s success since his acquisition.
The Clippers went 12-7 in February and March due to the play of Mathurin but during his struggles the team finished 3-3 in April.
Coach Lue believes Mathurin playing faster and aggressive helps bring out the best of his abilities.
“When we get stops (Mathurin) has to push a little faster because he is one of the best guys in transition as far as getting to the basket and getting fouled.”
His play to finish may have place some doubt in the Clippers heads on if they want to bring him back after the year.
In a recent episode of "The Bill Simmons Podcast," Zach Lowe mentioned that Mathurin's play has not only hurt the trade, but it may have also hurt his value heading into his restricted free agency.
"Mathurin slumped to the finish line, [and] has hurt both that trade for now and also his value in the offseason. It would be interesting to see if the Clippers even re-sign him if the number gets to a point where they are not comfortable with it," Lowe said.
The former Arizona Wildcat guard is vital to the Clippers once again knocking off the Warriors and possibly the Phoenix Suns. When Mathurin plays well, Los Angeles trots out a three-headed monster led by Kawhi Leonard and Darius Garland to make them much more formidable.
If he struggles this Play-In game tonight could mean a lot more than win or loss for Mathurin’s future.