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Benedict Mathurin.
Mat Hayward/Getty Images for adidas BasketballIndiana Pacers guard Benedict Mathurin did not agree to a foul in his team’s 127-117 loss Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday, January 15 and left the official Natalie Sago know about it.
As a result, he was suspended one game without pay for “inappropriate contact and verbal abuse of a game official.” NBA announced on Thursday, January 16 in a release.
The incident occurred late in the fourth quarter when the 22-year-old Mathurin chased down the Cavaliers center Evan Mobley and tried to block Mobley’s dunk attempt. Sago, 35, called Mathurino for a foul, which caused the third-year player from Arizona to immediately start arguing, clapping right behind Sago’s face and bumping into her.
Crew chief Zach Zarba confirmed after the game via an NBA Pool Report that Mathurin was “correctly called” for a foul after Mobley’s hit.
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Sago assessed Mathurin with two technical fouls and ejected him from the game as his teammates held him back while he continued to protest the call.
It was actually his third technique of the game; he also received a technical foul earlier in the game for hanging on the rim and pulling out after a dunk.
Mathurin finished the game with 19 points and four rebounds.
The suspension will cost him $41,642, he said ESPN. However, Mathurin is in the midst of his first professional contract worth $29,936,173 over four years.
“It was a moment,” Mathurin said after the game. “The game is so intense, especially myself – because I’m so competitive, I just want to win.” It was an unfortunate situation, but I was able to learn from it.”
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Mathurin added that he apologized to Saga.
“I went to see Natalia and everything is fine,” he continued. “(I) wanted to apologize for the unfortunate situation. We were able to end on a good note. I wish her a good night and the next time we meet, everything will be amicable.”
Sago has been a full-time NBA referee since 2018, becoming only the fifth woman to hold the position. She played in 233 games this season and earned a shutout NBA All-Stars responsibilities in 2022 — a task that belongs to the best officials in the league.
Pacers coach Rick Carlisle he called the incident an “emotional moment”.
“It happens all the time … disagreement on the call,” he said. “(Mathurin) ran away and we just keep going.”
The Pacers next game is Thursday night against the Detroit Pistons. Mathurin will be eligible to return on Saturday, January 18 at home against the Philadelphia 76ers.
