Indiana guard Bennedict Mathurin dazzled Pacers fans on Friday night, clinching the Rising Stars MVP award with 13 points in a 26-13 triumph in the championship game. Despite his stellar performance, San Antonio Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama fell short as his team got eliminated in the second game, despite his contribution of 11 points. Mathurin’s teammate, Jalen Williams, also shined, adding the remaining 13 points, securing coach Jalen Rose’s squad the championship title. The Pacers dominated the celebration, with Mathurin’s standout performance, supported by chants of “M-V-P! M-V-P!” as he scored a game-high 18 points in the initial game.
Former Pacers players Jalen Rose and coach Detlef Schrempf advanced to the championship round, adding to the Pacers’ celebration. Indiana rookie Oscar Tshiebwe played a pivotal role, leading Schrempf’s team with eight points in the title game. Mathurin’s early offensive burst propelled Rose’s team to a quick 12-4 lead, with a decisive 6-0 run paving the way for Oklahoma City’s Williams to seal the victory.
