Pacers rookie Bennedict Mathurin (toe) out for rest of Summer League

Bennedict Mathurin’s first Summer League is over.

The Pacers announced Thursday that their No. 6 pick will be shut down for the remainder of their time in Las Vegas for “precautionary reasons” due to a sore left big toe. Second-year players Isaiah Jackson and Terry Taylor will no longer play in Summer League either, and although no official reason was given by Indiana, it’s common for teams to shut down players they believe have proven enough. The biggest example this year is Orlando ruling out No. 1 pick Paolo Banchero after he starred in his first two Summer League games.

Mathurin has shined as well, averaging 19.3 points and 4.0 rebounds while shooting 48.8% overall and 38.5% on 3s. The 20-year-old had arguably his best game in a 101-87 victory over the Pistons on Tuesday, scoring 20 points in 19 minutes.

More Pacers coverage:3 takeaways from Pacers’ Summer League win: Aaron Nesmith’s debut, Rick Carlisle’s comments

“It’s been my biggest dream to play in the NBA,” Mathurin said in an NBATV postgame interview. “I’m looking forward to playing my first (regular-season) game.”

Taylor, who’s contract became guaranteed for the 2022-23 season Sunday, averaged 13.7 points and 7.7 rebounds through three Summer League games. Jackson averaged 10.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and 3.3 blocks during that span.

The absence of Mathurin, Taylor and Jackson will give other players, like former lottery pick Aaron Nesmith, more reps. The 22-year-old was acquired from Boston in a trade for Malcolm Brogdon and totaled 12 points and seven rebounds in his Indiana debut Tuesday.

“This is a perfect situation for him,” Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said during the NBATV broadcast. ” … He’s really fired up about the opportunity and so are we.”

Rookie draft picks Andrew Nembhard and Kendall Brown will also have more opportunity, but second-year guard Duane Washington Jr. may benefit the most from Mathurin, Taylor and Jackson being out. Washington is averaging 8.0 points on 34.6% shooting overall and 22.2% on 3s through three games. The 22-year-old’s contract has not been guaranteed for the 2022-23 season, per Spotrac.

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“In my head, it’s just not worrying about what people think,” Washington said. “Just understanding I believe in myself at the highest level, and my confidence in myself is never gonna fall. That’s what got me here, so I’m not gonna shy away from that.”

The Pacers face the Wizards in their fourth Summer League game Friday at Thomas & Mack Center. The matchup will be televised on ESPN2 at 9 p.m.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Bennedict Mathurin other Pacers ruled out rest of NBA Summer League