Pacers' Mathurin ejected in Game 4 win for striking Hunter

Indiana Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin was ejected in the first quarter of Sunday's 129-109 Game 4 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers for striking De'Andre Hunter in the sternum with a closed fist.

Hunter responded by shoving Mathurin after a stoppage in play and was subsequently assessed a technical foul. Pacers center Myles Turner was also given a technical for pushing Hunter.

"During review, it was observed that Hunter pushed Mathurin with two hands. That dead ball act was deemed to be (an) unsportsmanlike act and (a) technical foul was assessed for that action," crew chief John Goble told The Indianapolis Star's Dustin Dopirak in the postgame pool report interview.

"Turner was then also observed bumping Turner, and that dead ball act was also deemed to be (an) unsportsmanlike act and a technical foul was assessed."

Mathurin played just one minute, recording a single rebound. Hunter recorded five points and two rebounds in the first quarter.

In seven playoff games this season, Mathurin has averaged 13.4 points and 2.7 rebounds in 20.3 minutes of action. The 22-year-old missed the Pacers' 2024 run to the Eastern Conference finals due to a torn labrum in his shoulder.

Indiana selected Mathurin with the eighth pick in the 2022 NBA Draft.

The Pacers hold a 3-1 series lead and can book a second straight East finals appearance with a victory Tuesday in Cleveland.