Indiana Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin (00) and guard T.J. McConnell (9). Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Watch: Sloppy Embiid pass leads to McConnell steal, Mathurin and-one

By Sean Keane | Last updated 10/24/22

The Philadelphia 76ers started the season 0-3 despite a talent-laden team. They've had to face questions about their effort and focus , and that lack of focus was on display on a lazy inbounds pass by Joel Embiid.

How can you not love the confidence of Bennedict Mathurin?

Look at the smile he gives Joel Embiid after making the layup over him and getting the and-1. pic.twitter.com/jfd0xyx0QM
— Alex Golden (@AlexGoldenNBA) October 25, 2022

T.J. McConnell, the 76ers' old point guard, nabbed the casual pass and hit rookie Bennedict Mathurin, the No. 6 pick in this year's draft, for the layup through an Embiid foul.

Mathurin finished with 17 points, his lowest total yet in his short career, where he's averaging 22.3 points per game despite coming of the bench. The pass was Embiid's third turnover of the game, but the rest of his teammates only turned the ball over four times as the Sixers nailed down their first win of the season, 120-106. Embiid finished with 26 points and James Harden had 29.

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