Indiana Pacers 116, Oklahoma City Thunder 107
Q. Every day when people go out of their house, they try to have a nice day. Do you think about this, that you were going to have a good game today?
BENNEDICT MATHURIN: Yeah, is that a trick question? I pray every morning, so what are you trying to say? I pray every day, I know I'm going to have a great day.
Q. Bennedict, you didn't play in the first quarter, how did you stay ready mentally for when you got into the second quarter and how do you think you've grown when it comes to being ready when your number is called?
BENNEDICT MATHURIN: Just staying ready. Just whenever my number is called, go into the game and do the right things and try to help my team win. That's the whole mindset.
Q. Bennedict, it felt like when the bench came in in the second quarter, the energy in the whole building shifted. Did you feel that, did you feel there was extra juice when you guys went on a run in the second?
BENNEDICT MATHURIN: For sure, having guys like T.J. and Obi get in the game, it's just playing hard. A group of guys that play hard, extremely hard, and that's what the fans needed to get the fans back on their feet and everyone was cheering.
Q. Is that something you talked about as a group or you just took it upon yourself when the moment came?
BENNEDICT MATHURIN: That's our job, just get in the game and have that mindset. I think once we get in the game, I told the guys yesterday we won't have as many chances as when we start the game. Obviously, we have less minutes.
But I think you just have to get in the game with the right mindset and give it all you've got to win the game.
Q. What got you into a rhythm offensively? How did you find space and what got you into a rhythm?
BENNEDICT MATHURIN: Pretty much just shooting shots I like. I was able to get in the gym a lot this weekend preparing for this game.
Q. Last year, going through the experience of not being able to play in the run, how much do you think that helped prepare you for being able to contribute in this run?
BENNEDICT MATHURIN: I think as much as I was out last year, not being able to play, I learned a lot. Just being on the bench and being next to the coaches who were able to run me through the game and stuff like that. It was an unfortunate situation, but I was fortunate enough to learn a lot and be ready for this year.
Q. It seemed like in Game 2 at certain points, the offense went stagnant and you weren't able to move the ball as much. Tonight, there was off-ball movement and guys cutting towards the rim. What did you see differently tonight that allowed you to find so much success in that area?
BENNEDICT MATHURIN: I think aggressiveness. I think the way we started the game wasn't the best but we were able to call a timeout and pretty much execute what we usually do. I think when we play Pacers basketball, that's the best thing that we are going to get and the fans are going to get.
Q. Coach Carlisle told us a story about how you were counting down the days of when you could return from the labrum injury and coming in every day taking the sticky notes off the calendar. What was that like for you, and what does Obi Toppin mean to the team from an energy standpoint?
BENNEDICT MATHURIN: It was crazy. It was crazy. I don't want to say -- a lot of people enjoy playing basketball but I really love playing basketball. I think it's family and basketball for me. Like I said, me not being able to play, I wish I could do anything to be on the court but I couldn't. Like I said, trying to put myself in positions where I could learn about the game and just improve as much as I can.
And Obi has been great. He's been the player that -- I wouldn't expect less of him. He's a source of energy and he's always smiling and he has a contagious energy. Him coming to the game and bringing whatever it is, defense, offense, it's always great to have.
Q. You scored 27 points off bench yourself. How important was the energy from the crowd for you tonight?
BENNEDICT MATHURIN: They were very, very important. I think that the state of Indiana is about basketball and that's the first time that I really felt it. As much as this is a dream right now, I'm not trying to live in my dream. I'm trying to, like, live in the present and make sure the dream ends well, which means winning the next game and winning a championship.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports