NBA fans react as Bennedict Mathurin gets ejected for altercation with female ref: "Silver about to slap that bank account swiftly"

Indiana Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin was ejected from their game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday. Mathurin bumped referee Natalie Sago, prompting two quick technical fouls and the disqualification. NBA fans reacted to the incident, with some even claiming that Adam Silver should fine the player as soon as possible.

With four minutes left in the game, Mathurin was called for a personal foul on Evan Mobley. The Pacers guard argued the decision with the referee. He clapped when the official turned around before bumping into her. His teammates tried to calm him down, but Sago immediately ejected him with two technical fouls.

Replays showed that Mathurin hit Mobley's wrist, an obvious foul. He was called for travelling a few possessions before the incident even though he was pushed.

NBA fans reacted to Bennedict Mathurin's ejection and condemned him for bumping into referee Natalia Sago. Mathurin lost his cool and will likely be fined.

"Mathurin lost his damn brains. Silver about to slap that bank account swiftly," a fan tweeted.

"Ben hanging out with Embiid too much," one fan joked.

"SUSPEND HIM. That's unacceptable," another fan suggested.

Some were also baffled by the referee calling Bennedict Mathurin for three technical fouls. However, Mathurin's conduct is not being condoned by many even if his first technical foul in the first half was unnecessary.

"She was against him and the Pacers all game," a fan wrote.

"He managed to get 3 techs on the night," one mark commented.

"Gonna cost him 90k a game if he's suspended and he wasn't even right," another fan remarked.

Mathurin finished the game with 19 points, four rebounds and two assists. However, the Indiana Pacers fell short and lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers 127-117.

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Crew chief explains Bennedict Mathurin's triple technical game

Crew chief explains Bennedict Mathurin's triple technical game. (Photo: IMAGN)

Some fans were confused why Bennedict Mathurin was called for three technical fouls. The usual rule in the NBA is two techs and a player is out for the game. However, Mathurin was called for three technical fouls, which resulted in three free throws.

The game's crew chief, Zach Zarba, clarified what happened, explaining that a player can be called for more than two technical fouls in a game. Mathurin's first technical is considered a non-unsportsmanlike technical foul because he only hung to the ring.

It's in the same category as flopping, excessive timeouts, defensive three seconds and delay of game. A player can be called for those kinds of fouls without fear of getting ejected. On the other hand, two unsportsmanlike technical fouls automatically lead to an ejection.