NBA Makes Decision on Suspension for Pacers' Bennedict Mathurin Following Three Technical Game

Mathurin was suspended for one game without pay.
Indiana Pacers guard Mathurin (00) reacts to receiving a technical foul Tuesday during a game between the Indiana Pacers and the Cleveland Cavaliers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
Indiana Pacers guard Mathurin (00) reacts to receiving a technical foul Tuesday during a game between the Indiana Pacers and the Cleveland Cavaliers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. / Grace Smith/USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images
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The NBA has suspended Indiana Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin for one game after he was ejected Tuesday night against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Remarkably, Mathurin received three technical fouls in the same game against the Cavs. The first came in the first half for dunking and hanging on the rim. Late in the fourth quarter, he was called for a shooting foul, which he quickly argued and received the second technical. He then followed the official, Natalie Sago, to argue some more and bumped into her, which led to the third and the suspension.

The league mentioned Mathurin's one-game suspension was for making inappropriate contact with and verbally abusing a game official. He'll serve the suspension on Jan. 16 when the Pacers travel to play the Detroit Pistons.

After the game Tuesday, Mathurin said he apologized to Sago after the game via Dustin Dopirak of the Indianapolis Star.

"I went to see Natalie, and everything's alright," Mathurin said via the Indianapolis Star. "(I) wanted to apologize for the unfortunate situation. We were able to end on good terms. I wish her to have a great night, and the next time we meet, it's all friendly."


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Blake Silverman
BLAKE SILVERMAN

Blake Silverman is a contributor to the Breaking and Trending News team at Sports Illustrated. Before joining SI in November 2024, he covered the WNBA, NBA, G League and college basketball for numerous sites, including Winsidr, SB Nation's Detroit Bad Boys and A10Talk. He graduated from Michigan State University before receiving a master's in sports journalism from St. Bonaventure University. Outside of work, he's probably binging the latest Netflix documentary, at a yoga studio or enjoying everything Detroit sports. A lifelong Michigander, he lives in suburban Detroit with his wife, young son and their personal petting zoo of two cats and a dog.