NBA Suspends Pacers' Bennedict Mathurin for Bumping Referee

The one-game suspension follows an altercation with official Natalie Sago during a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Bennedict Mathurin was suspended one game without pay for making inappropriate contact with and verbally abusing referee Natalie Sago during the Pacers' January 14 game against the Cavaliers.
The incident occurred late in the fourth quarter after Mathurin disagreed with a foul call, clapped near Sago’s face, and bumped into her, leading to two technical fouls and an ejection.
Mathurin had already received a technical foul earlier in the game for hanging on the rim after a dunk, bringing his total to three technical fouls for the game.
Following the game, Mathurin apologized to Sago, describing the altercation as a result of intense emotions and competitiveness during play.
The suspension will cost Mathurin $41,642, and he will miss the Pacers' January 16 game against the Detroit Pistons, returning for their January 18 matchup against the 76ers.