For the first time since the blockbuster deadline deal, the Pacers faced the Clippers after sending Benn Mathurin and Isaiah Jackson to Los Angeles in exchange for Ivica Zubac and Kobe Brown. Zubac still hasn’t suited up for Indiana, but the former Pacers made their presence felt immediately. Mathurin delivered a vintage scoring performance, attacking the rim, living at the free throw line, and finishing +32 in just 22 minutes. Jackson added his best game yet in a Clippers uniform, bringing energy and production against his former team. Meanwhile, Indiana’s defensive struggles continued as they allowed 130+ points for the fifth time since the All-Star break. We break down the emotional return for the former Pacers, what Mathurin’s night says about the trade, why Indiana once again looked overmatched, and how injuries and lineup instability continue to make wins hard to come by. With the Pacers still searching for their first win after the All-Star break, the slide toward the bottom of the standings continues.

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