NBA FINALS: THUNDER VS. PACERS

June 10, 2025

Bennedict Mathurin

Indiana Pacers

Practice Day

Q. It's your first home game. Your crowd is amazing. How are you looking forward to see if it's any different, the atmosphere, since it's a Finals game?

BENNEDICT MATHURIN: I would say very, very different. I'm very, very excited for what's coming tomorrow. I think that the fans are going to be very, very important for us. Just looking for a great game tomorrow.

Q. Maybe we kind of are expecting Indiana Fever players out there supporting you. Is it something that you appreciate, that the female basketball players come over and show support?

BENNEDICT MATHURIN: It's always great to have the girls come to the game, support us. I think that we are doing the same thing. Just showing love. Showing love for the game.

Q. How have you handled the mental side of the series so far?

BENNEDICT MATHURIN: I think the main thing for us is to stay even-keeled, whether we win or lose a game. You go out and try to get better for next game.

Q. How have guys like Rick, Tyrese and Pascal helped with that?

BENNEDICT MATHURIN: Pascal has been through there, Rick has been through there. Just being able to know what to expect for the next game, I think that's been the biggest thing.

Q. How will this game be different on home court?

BENNEDICT MATHURIN: I would say just having the fans. Our game is not going to be anything different. We have to be out there and have to be relentless. We have to have an edge to start the game. I think the fans are going to help us.

Q. Aaron was saying if you would have told him you were 1-1 coming back home, he would be happy with that. How does that Game 1 help your confidence moving forward in the series here at home?

BENNEDICT MATHURIN: We were able to win one game. I think we could have won two games over there. We have to keep that in the back and look forward at the opportunity that is in front of us. Just being able to win the next game, the next two games. We have to focus on the next one.

Q. Is there a moment during the past two games that you said, Oh, man, this is the Finals?

BENNEDICT MATHURIN: Well, I can't recall a specific moment. I would just say the crowd in OKC, it was amazing. When you make a basket, everybody is booing and stuff. I feel like it's hard to live in the moment and hold a camera at the same time. As much as I would love to say I'm in the Finals, that takes you away from the game.

Just going out there and finishing the game the right way is the mindset.