Incident Overview

The Indiana Pacers’ Bennedict Mathurin was ejected from Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinal series against the Cleveland Cavaliers after hitting De’Andre Hunter in the chest with a closed fist. This incident occurred in the first quarter of the game.

The Incident Unfolds

Replays showed Mathurin extending his fist into Hunter, who responded by wagging his finger at Mathurin and following him toward midcourt, where he shoved Mathurin to the ground with two hands. Pacers center Myles Turner then ran across the court and ran into Hunter. Following a replay review, the referees called Mathurin for a flagrant 2, an automatic ejection, drawing a chorus of boos from Pacers fans. Technical fouls were given to Turner and Hunter.

Reactions to the Incident

Pacers coach Rick Carlisle expressed his confusion about the incident, stating, “I had a lot of questions about it. I saw one still shot where it looked he had his hand flat, you know? But they a lot of different views. Whatever happened, happened. He’ll accept the ejection and whatever else happens from it. We’ve just got to move forward.”

Game Outcome

Despite the loss of Mathurin, the Pacers tied an NBA playoff record by taking a 41-point halftime lead and rolled past the Cavaliers 129-109 to take a 3-1 lead in the series. The Pacers can close out the series and earn their second straight appearance in the conference finals Tuesday in Cleveland, where they won the first two games.

Player Performance

Mathurin did not score in his 80 seconds on the court. Hunter, who missed Game 2 with an injured wrist, had five points and four rebounds while Turner made all four of his 3-point attempts and finished with 20 points, seven rebounds and three assists.

The Pacers’ dominance in the game was evident, with their significant lead at halftime setting the tone for the rest of the game.

Conclusion

The incident involving Bennedict Mathurin and De’Andre Hunter added a layer of complexity to the game, but ultimately, the Pacers’ strong performance secured their win. As the series moves forward, the Pacers are in a favorable position to advance to the conference finals.

FAQs

• Q: Who was ejected from the game?
  • A: Bennedict Mathurin was ejected from the game for hitting De’Andre Hunter in the chest with a closed fist.
• Q: What was the outcome of the game?
  • A: The Pacers won the game 129-109, taking a 3-1 lead in the series.
• Q: How did the incident affect the game?
  • A: Despite the ejection of Mathurin, the Pacers maintained a significant lead and secured the win.
• Q: What’s next for the series?
  • A: The Pacers can close out the series in the next game, which will be held in Cleveland.