The NBA announced Wednesday it suspended Indiana Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin for one game without pay. Mathurin was suspended for "making

Indiana Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin was suspended for one game without pay by the NBA on Wednesday night for inappropriate contact and verbal abuse of a game official.

Indiana Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin was ejected from his team's 127-117 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday night after complaining about a foul call by clapping in referee Natalie Sago's face and bumping into her.

Cheers roared around Gainbridge Fieldhouse when Pacers forward Bennedict Mathurin sprinted down court, dunking and hanging on the rim out of a fast break in the second quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday.

Pascal Siakam scored 23 points and Bennedict Mathurin 19 for the Pacers, who had their six-game winning streak halted. Myles Turned added 17 points. The Cavaliers led 82-77 in the third quarter before going on a 10-0 run that included 3-pointers by Max Strus, Georges Niang and Mobley. Cleveland led 100-89 after three periods.

The Cleveland Cavaliers get a quick shot at a rematch Tuesday night, as they play host to the Indiana Pacers team that defeated them two days prior, this time on Indiana’s home floor.

He appeared to draw a technical for clapping at referee Natalie Sago then was ejected for lightly bumping the official. Donovan Mitchell hit both technical free throws and Mobley hit 1-of-2 for the original foul,

The Pacers are undefeated in 2025, winning all six January games. The biggest change we’ve seen is a much-improved defense. Indiana had been a below-average defensive unit this season, with a defensive rating of 114 (20th in the NBA) and allowing 114.9 points per game (21st) to opponents.