Pacers swingman Bennedict Mathurin has been suspended for one game without pay for his behavior towards a referee during a 127-117 loss to the Cavaliers on Tuesday night, the NBA announced in a press release (Twitter link).
With about four minutes remaining in regulation during Tuesday’s game, Mathurin fouled Cavaliers big man Evan Mobley on a look near the rim. Upon being whistled for an infraction, Mathurin took umbrage with the decision and approached the official who made the call (Twitter video link). After he made physical contact with the official, he was immediately whistled for a technical foul and ejected from the bout.
Mathurin had been a critical contributor for the Pacers throughout the night. He finished with 19 points while shooting 8-of-12 from the floor. The Arizona alum also notched four boards, two dimes, one swipe and one rejection.
Mathurin has been starting in the stead of Indiana forward Aaron Nesmith, who has missed all but six contests this year with an ankle injury.
Mathurin will serve the suspension on Thursday when the 22-19 Pacers face the rising Pistons.
According to ESPN’s Bobby Marks (via Twitter), Mathurin will lose $41,642 by sitting out Thursday’s game, which represents 1/174th of his $7,245,720 salary for the season. The Pacers, meanwhile, will earn a $20,821 tax variance credit through Mathurin’s suspension, 50% of his lost salary.
In the stead of wow very fancy
Just goes to show actions have consequences…
Definitely deserved
Should have got suspended an extra game because it was a blatant foul he was complaining about
Saw the match, it was clearly a foul ……. Siakam and the other teammates signaling for a coach challenge, should be suspended as well.
That particular call yes. The pacers were on the end of some atrocious calls throughout the game. Completely different at both ends.
why? is it not allowed to wrongly ask for a challenge? if the coach had challenged, should he have been suspended too?
^ Should have put “lol” in the end …… the attempt at humor just flew right by you.
Mobley, like many big men through the years, owned the Pacers that night and let them know it. Mathurin and Co. suffered a case of frustrations boiling over….
Suspended from participating in the next bout