Indiana Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin has been handed a one-game suspension without pay for making inappropriate contact with and verbally abusing a game official, the NBA announced. The incident occurred during the Pacers’ 127-117 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on January 14, with 3:58 remaining in the fourth quarter.
The suspension, which was confirmed by Joe Dumars, the NBA’s Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations, will see Mathurin sit out the Pacers’ game against the Detroit Pistons on January 16.
Mathurin, 22, is in his third NBA season and has been a key contributor to the Pacers this year. He is averaging 16.5 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists in 32.8 minutes per game.
The financial implications of the suspension were also detailed by ESPN NBA Front Office insider Bobby Marks. The one-game suspension will cost Mathurin $41,642, which is 1/174 of his $7,245,720 salary. However, the Pacers will benefit from a tax variance credit of $20,821, leaving them $147,335 below the luxury tax threshold.