The NBA announced in a press statement (Twitter link) that it has opted to suspend Pacers swingman Bennedict Mathurin one game, without pay, for his behavior towards a referee during a 127-117 loss to the Cavaliers on Tuesday night.
Per ESPN’s Bobby Marks (via Twitter), Mathurin will lose $41,642 by sitting out Indiana’s next contest, which represents 1/174 of his rookie-scale $7,245,720 contract for the season.
The Pacers, meanwhile, will earn a $20,821 tax variance credit through Mathurin’s suspension.
Mathurin has been starting in the stead of Indiana forward Aaron Nesmith, who has missed all but six bouts this year with an ankle injury.
With about four minutes remaining in regulation during the Tuesday Cleveland clash, Mathurin fouled Cavaliers big man Evan Mobley on a look near the rim. Upon being whistled for an infraction, Mathurin took umbrage with the call and approached the official who assessed it. 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.
The 22-19 Pacers’ next game is scheduled for Thursday, against the rising Pistons.