The NBA is particularly strict when it comes to contact between players and referees. Touching an official is thus a red line not to be crossed, but that is nevertheless what Bennedict Mathurin.
Totally furious at the end of the match against the Cavaliers, the young Pacers player voluntarily came into contact with referee Natalie Sago, immediately triggering his expulsion. Pascal Siakam and Andrew Nembhard tried to calm him down, but the Canadian rear had a lot of difficulty getting down.
Result: even if he apologized to the referee after the match, the NBA decided to suspend him a meeting and he will therefore not play next night, against the Pistons.
“It was in the moment. The game is so intense, especially for me being so competitive, I just want to win. It was an unfortunate situation, but I was able to learn from it.” he explained about this cracking. While waiting to return to the field against the Sixers on Saturday, this suspension match will cost him $41,642.
| Bennedict Mathurin | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2022-23 | IND | 78 | 29 | 43.4 | 32.3 | 82.8 | 1.1 | 3.0 | 4.1 | 1.5 | 2.1 | 0.6 | 1.9 | 0.2 | 16.7 |
| 2023-24 | IND | 59 | 26 | 44.6 | 37.4 | 82.1 | 1.0 | 2.9 | 4.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 0.6 | 1.6 | 0.2 | 14.5 |
| 2024-25 | IND | 41 | 33 | 46.3 | 36.4 | 81.7 | 1.2 | 4.8 | 6.0 | 2.0 | 2.7 | 0.6 | 2.0 | 0.4 | 16.5 |
| Total | 178 | 29 | 44.5 | 34.9 | 82.4 | 1.1 | 3.4 | 4.5 | 1.8 | 2.2 | 0.6 | 1.9 | 0.2 | 15.9 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
