Pacers coach Rick Carlisle believes the offense is better balanced with Bennedict Mathurin coming off the bench.

The Pacers player came off the bench for just the second time since Aaron Nesmith's injury early in the season.

The Indiana Pacers had to make Bennedict Mathurin the starting small forward very early in the season. After Aaron Nesmith hurt his ankle, they really had no choice. Nesmith's ankle sprain was so severe that he missed 35 games before coming back a couple of weeks prior to the All-Star break.

Tyrese Haliburton had 29 points and 12 assists for his 16th double-double of the season, Aaron Nesmith scored a season-high 19, and the Indiana Pacers defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 129-111 on Sunday.

Pacers forward Aaron Nesmith has taken a while to find his rhythm since returning from a sprained left ankle, but he had 19 points against the Clippers.

Nikola Jokic had a career-best 19 assists, while adding 18 points and nine rebounds, Aaron Gordon scored 25 points and the Denver Nuggets defeated the Indiana Pacers 125-116 on Monday night.