The Los Angeles Clippers may have lost to the San Antonio Spurs on Monday, but Bennedict Mathurin is looking forward, not back.
The Los Angeles Clippers fell 119-115 to the San Antonio Spurs on Monday and that loss came off the back of a tough stretch of basketball for the Clippers.
They played 18 games in 31 days with little rest in between and as the season comes to a close and the wear and tear of the season sets in for players across the league, the Clippers could be forgiven for feeling the fatigue of that stretch and seeing it affect their game on the court.
But, grueling schedules aren't an issue unique to the Clippers and every team is feeling the strain of the season weigh down on them and with the Clippers locked in a battle to qualify for a Play-In spot, these final games are more crucial than ever.
Sacramento Kings guard-forward Daeqwon Plowden (29) defends against LA Clippers guard-forward Bennedict Mathurin (9) during the second half at Intuit Dome. Jonathan Hui-Imagn ImagesMathurin Speaks on Grueling Schedule
For Bennedict Mathurin, who had 16 points and four rebounds off the bench for the Clippers against the Spurs, he's leaning on the perspective he's gained over the long and winding road of the season and most importantly, he's placing his trust in his teammates as they come together in the final weeks of the season.
"14 games [left in the season]. I remember the days that we had 72 games left and it was all about, don't worry about it, next game," Mathurin said. "We have a team full of guys that come ready to play whether they played six minutes or 36 minutes. Everybody's ready to play. That's our advantage and we have to use that."
Los Angeles Clippers guard Bennedict Mathurin (9) handles the ball as Memphis Grizzlies guard Jahmai Mashack (21) defends during the third quarter at FedExForum. Petre Thomas-Imagn ImagesThe Clippers have been on one of the most emotionally taxing journeys over the course of the season among any team in the NBA.
The Ups and Downs of the Clippers' Season
Starting the season 6-21, then taking off on a red-hot run that has culminated in them being right at .500 and fighting for a playoff spot that once seemed out of reach, there may be no team that better understands how volatile a season can be.
Pair that with the transformation they underwent at the deadline with the exodus of both James harden, the addition of Darius Garland, who led the Clippers with 25 points against the Spurs, and the emergence of players like Mathurin, Jordan Miller and Kobe Sanders, and the Clippers are a completely different team at this point.
The "next man up" mentality that Mathurin spoke about very well could be the key to their success and the mental resilience they've already exhibited over the course of the season will still need to be relied on as they try to finish the season strong and contend in the playoffs.