There comes a point where potential, flashes, and hope have to give way to reality. In this episode, Brad and Ryan lay out the case for why it may be time for the Indiana Pacers to move on from Bennedict Mathurin — and do so while there’s still real value to be had. Mathurin, a former lottery pick, has shown undeniable scoring talent and delivered unforgettable moments — most notably his eruption in Game 3 of the NBA Finals last season. But as the sample size grows, those highs have increasingly become the exception rather than the rule. The all-around production, consistency, and fit within the Pacers identity simply haven’t followed. With restricted free agency looming and a potentially significant payday on the horizon, the front office faces a difficult question: is Mathurin a long-term building block — or an asset best moved before the league’s perception shifts further? This isn’t about denying the talent. It’s about timing, fit, and value. Sometimes, the hardest move is the right move, and simply put — it’s time to Break Up With Benn.

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The Pacers walk back into Oklahoma City and do the most Pacers thing possible — they beat the NBA’s best team and exorcise some serious demons. Indiana avenges last year’s Game 7 heartbreak with a cathartic win over the Oklahoma City Thunder, delivering one of the most fun nights of an otherwise frustrating season. A career night from Jarace Walker, elite defense from Johnny Furphy in the starting lineup, and a near triple-double on hyper-efficient shooting from Andrew Nembhard powered the win. The Pacers did it shorthanded, too — without Tyrese Haliburton in the building, as he shared with Taylor Rooks that it was still too soon to return following his Game 7 Achilles injury. He made it clear though: the next time he’s in OKC, he plans to be in uniform. A night of redemption, release, and a reminder of what this group is capable of when it all clicks.

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We wrap up our three-part midseason report card series by tackling the most debated position on the roster: Center. Brad and Ryan hand out letter grades and classroom-style comps for every big man who’s logged minutes this season, breaking down roles, production, fit, and limitations within the Pacers’ system. We discuss what’s worked, what clearly hasn’t, and why the position remains the biggest unresolved question as the season hits its midpoint. The conversation zooms out to the bigger picture — how roster construction, matchup realities, and schematic needs have shaped the Pacers approach, and why the front office is almost certainly gearing up for change. Whether that answer comes via trade, the draft, or free agency, one thing is clear: the center position will define the next phase of this rebuild. Honest grades, clear-eyed evaluation, and a look ahead at what has to be addressed moving forward.

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