Bennedict Mathurin reflected on his missed game‑winning shot in the Clippers' 111‑109 loss to the Orlando Magic, highlighting the support he received from teammate Kawhi Leonard.
The Los Angeles Clippers fell short Sunday night in a tight 111-109 loss to the Orlando Magic. The final possession will be remembered, especially by Bennedict Mathurin, who had a clean look from three to win the game.
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The shot hit the back rim and bounced out. For a scorer, those moments stay in your head. But Mathurin did not focus only on the miss.
Instead, he pointed to what happened after the play. Kawhi Leonard made sure to speak with him.
"It means a lot," Mathurin shared to Clippers reporter Jeoy Linn. "In my opinion, he's one of the greatest players to ever play the game. So to have him come show love and show support that there's many more ahead of me. For a guy who's made a lot of those shots, it was great to see."
The Clippers believe in Mathurin growth as a secondary option next to Leonard. The 23-year-old wing has already shown he can score at a high level, including a 38-point outing against the Denver Nuggets.
His production reflects the expanded role. During his time with the Indiana Pacers this season, Mathurin averaged 17.8 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game. In four games with Los Angeles, he is averaging 22.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game.
The loss to Orlando hurts in the standings, but Mathurin reaction highlights something bigger. He understands the moment, and he values the trust from Kawhi Leonard. For the Clippers, that connection could matter more than one missed shot.
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