Bennedict Mathurin’s Struggles Worsen with Clippers on Friday

On Friday, Bennedict Mathurin’s struggles with the Clippers deepened. He arrived in Los Angeles at the trade deadline this season.

Limited minutes in Portland

Mathurin played only five minutes and did not return after the first quarter. He checked into the game with about five minutes remaining in the opening period.

Shaedon Sharpe and Deni Avdija repeatedly drove past him on attacks to the rim. Those defensive lapses stood out immediately.

Box-score impact

Offensively, he missed both field-goal attempts and finished with zero points. He added one assist.

Portland outscored the Clippers 13-5 while he was on the floor, extending the lead to nine. That stretch helped set the game’s tone.

Los Angeles mounted a comeback and took a lead in the third quarter. Because the club performed better without Mathurin, Ty Lue kept him sidelined in the second half.

The Clippers scored just 13 points in the fourth quarter. The team finished the game with a 103.7 offensive rating.

Shooting, defense and playmaking concerns

Defensive lapses, an inconsistent outside shot, and limited playmaking have been persistent concerns. He is shooting about 20 percent from three while wearing a Clippers uniform.

His turnover total is nearly equal to his assists this season. Defensively, he often fails to stay in front of opponents despite good athletic tools.

Contract outlook and urgency

Mathurin is 23 and arrived from Indiana via the trade deadline. He is headed to restricted free agency this offseason.

The recent downturn in playing time and production could hurt his market value. With one regular-season game left, his chance to change Ty Lue’s view is small.

Friday’s appearance may serve as a warning for him. Filmogaz.com will track his status heading into the playoffs.