NBA playoffs: Refs eject Pacers’ Bennedict Mathurin after incident

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Cleveland Cavaliers Forward DeAndre Hunter and Indiana Pacers guard Benedict Maturin got caught up in an argument early in the Game 4 playoff matchup on Sunday night.

The incident occurred with 4:32 left in the first quarter. Pacers It broke out with a 12-point lead. The broadcast showed Indiana trying to throw the ball in when he saw Hunter pushing Matlin into the ground. Pacers star Miles Turner was involved in protecting Matlin.

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The Indiana Pacers will be hit by Benedict Maturin to the floor as Center Miles Turner advances the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first half of Game 4 in the Eastern Conference semi-finals held in Indianapolis on Sunday, May 11, 2025. (AP photo/Michael Conroy)

It appeared that Hunter had begun the incident, but Replays showed that Maturin hit the Hunter in the middle as Indiana tried to throw the ball. The Hunter walks up to Matlin and points him and pushes him to the floor.

Officials evaluated Matlin for a Fragrant II foul after review. They kicked out a technical foul on Hunter and Turner.

With a defensive effort of the stars from Thunder, lift them up on the nuggets and tie the series 2-2

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell moves the ball against Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nenbird in the first half of Game 4. (AP photo/Michael Conroy)

Hunter and Maturin had already had the beef during the series. Mathurin challenged the hunter with Rim during a dunk in Game 1. The two received a double technical foul as their competitive style crossed the referee’s preferred line in Game 3.

Indiana led the series 2-1 Game 4.

The Pacers started off on Sunday night with the hot finishing the first quarter 38-23. Indiana came out of the game, which filmed 53.8% from the field and 60% from the 3-point range.