Pacers Re-Sign Veteran Sharpshooter Ahead of Cavaliers Game

Nov 1, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Detailed view of the Indiana Pacers logo against the New Orleans Pelicans during the second half at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images | Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

The Indiana Pacers have enjoyed a busy start to their December.

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Ahead of a clash against the mighty Cleveland Cavaliers Monday night, Indiana has opted to re-sign sharpshooting wing Garrison Mathews to his second 10-day hardship exception deal with the franchise, sources have informed Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.

The Indiana Pacers plan to sign Garrison Mathews to a second 10-day hardship contract, league sources told @hoopshype. Mathews has averaged 6.4 points and shot 38% from 3-point range in his career with the Washington Wizards, Houston Rockets, Atlanta Hawks, and Indiana Pacers. pic.twitter.com/EuovVEEpaa

— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) December 1, 2025

Across his five games with Indiana so far, the 6-foot-5 Lipscomb product has been averaging a scant 1.8 points, with all his field goal tries being 3-point attempts (2.6 per) plus 0.6 free throw tries, as well as 0.6 boards and 0.4 assists in 9.2 minutes a night. He's a career 38 percent shooter from distance on 3.9 triple tries per bout, so presumably he'll turn around his conversion rate with the Pacers the more he plays.

Since 2019-20, Mathews has bounced around with four different franchises: the Washington Wizards, Houston Rockets, Atlanta Hawks and this year the Pacers.

Bringing in Mathews, 29, won't just help Indiana's spacing woes — it will also just help the team field healthy bodies.

Pacers, Cavaliers Facing Major Health Hurdles Heading Into Monday's Game

According to the league's latest injury report, both Cleveland and Indiana will be missing six players heading into their matchup on Monday night.

Indiana will be missing two-time All-NBA Third Team point guard Tyrese Haliburton (done for the season with a ruptured right Achilles tendon), backup power forward Obi Toppin (shelved until at least February with a right foot stress fracture), starting small forward Aaron Nesmith (left knee MCL sprain), and young guards Johnny Furphy (left ankle sprain), Quenton Jackson (right hamstring strain), and rookie Kam Jones (lower back stress reaction).

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Underdog NBA reports that the Pacers will start point guard Andrew Nembhard, shooting guard Bennedict Mathurin, small forward Jarace Walker, three-time All-Star power forward Pascal Siakam, and floor-spacing center Jay Huff.

Per Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star, the Cavaliers will start six-time All-Star point guard Donovan Mitchell, shooting guard Jaylon Tyson, small forward Dean Wade, power forward De'Andre Hunter, and reigning Defensive Player of the Year center Evan Mobley.

The Cleveland game tips off at 7 p.m. ET in Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

For more news and notes on the Indiana Pacers, visit Indiana Pacers on SI.