VIDEO RECAP: Indiana Pacers pick up first preseason win over Cleveland Cavaliers as Bennedict Mathurin shines

The Pacers are 1-1 in the preseason

Oct 10, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) defends Cleveland Cavaliers guard Ty Jerome (2) in the first quarter at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images / David Richard-Imagn Images

The Indiana Pacers picked up the first preseason win in their 2024 slate on Thursday night as they toppled the Cleveland Cavaliers on the road.

The Cavs were without several key players. Jarrett Allen was the only starter who played for Cleveland, and he was limited to only hitting the hardwood in the first half. The Pacers played their entire starting five for the first two periods yet were trailing at halftime.

In the second half, though, Indiana's reserves were dominant. They were led by young guard Bennedict Mathurin, who was exceptional. He finished with 25 points on just 12 shot attempts, and his three-point shooting in the second half helped the Pacers create separation on the scoreboard. He flashed his potential from start to finish.

Jarace Walker, a Pacers lottery pick from the 2023 NBA Draft, was also solid. He had 12 points and four rebounds without missing a shot — and his defense was better than it was in Indiana's first preseason game. Between Walker and Mathurin, two recent lottery picks gave the blue and gold a lot to like.

Myles Turner and Isaiah Jackson returned from injury and both had their moments — Jackson led the Pacers in blocks while Turner was the team's top scorer at halftime. Both players likely hoped for a better defensive performance, but they did enough to help the team win.

The final score was 129-117, and the Pacers now return home for over a week to close out their preseason slate. You can watch a video recap of the action below.

Indiana next plays Monday when they host the Memphis Grizzlies.

---

• Indiana Pacers young wing Ben Sheppard is impressive during training camp, studying his own teammates to improve. CLICK HERE.
• Andrew Nembhard shines during Indiana Pacers 2024 FanJam plus other scrimmage thoughts. CLICK HERE.
• Pacers GM Chad Buchanan on Myles Turner's future: 'We want him to be here'. CLICK HERE.
• Indiana Pacers beat Cleveland Cavaliers by a dozen in preseason tilt, key plays and moments. CLICK HERE.
• Follow Pacers On SI on Facebook: All Pacers SI
• Follow Pacers On SI on Twitter: @SIPacers